Voice of America
19 Mar 2023, 04:05 GMT+10
Blantyre, Malawi - Malawi rescue teams started using sniffer dogs Friday to locate the bodies of people trapped under rubble left after Cyclone Freddy destroyed their houses. The Malawi government announced that Zambia has sent two aircraft to help with rescue efforts and more nations are pledging to do so.
Authorities in Malawi are still coming to terms with the scale of Cyclone Freddy's destruction.
Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya told VOA Friday about the challenges they face locating the remains of people trapped under muddy rubble, which is why sniffer dogs are an asset.
"Most of the dead bodies are under rubble and it is becoming difficult to find out where the bodies are. So, today we engaged these dogs from this morning,' Kalaya said.
Men transport their salvaged belongings in Chiradzulu, southern Malawi, Friday March 17, 2023.
Early this week, Malawi search and rescue teams - comprised of police, the Red Cross and the military - were deployed to rescue people trapped in trees and rooftops by the cyclone.
Lameck Kalenga is deputy chief of military operations in Malawi.
He told a news conference Thursday that the military team also faced significant challenges.
Locals in the Chiradzulu district walk with salvaged possessions to safer ground after mud slid and rocks fell in the wake of Cyclone Freddy in Blantyre, Malawi, March 15, 2023.
"Our boat capsized, and we had all occupants in that boat submerged in water,' Kalenga said. 'They managed to swim, others to the shore but others ... they swam on and held on to trees that were surrounded by water. So, we had like three officers who were surrounded by water, but by yesterday [Wednesday] all of them were rescued."
Authorities in Malawi say there are still many areas that cannot be accessed by either vehicles or boats.
Locals in the Chiradzulu district of Malawi look at the damage on a road after mudslides and rockfalls in the area caused by the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy in Blantyre, Malawi, March 15, 2023.
However, the Zambian government Friday sent two aircraft to help the search and rescue team in Malawi access those hard-to-reach areas.
"One of these aircrafts is a relief aid aircraft, which is bringing relief aid to Malawi,' Kalenga said. 'And the other one is [an] MI8 helicopter, which will be used to gain access in those inaccessible areas. Mainly Mulanje, Phalombe and Nsanje."
The Department of Disaster Preparedness in Malawi said search and rescue teams from South Africa, Switzerland, the United States and the United Kingdom are expected to arrive soon.
In the meantime, Mozambique has also pledged to assist Malawi with an aircraft.
Get a daily dose of Birmingham News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Birmingham News.
More InformationEDINBURGH, Scotland: Humza Yousaf, the first Muslim to lead a democratic western European nation, was sworn in as Scotland's new ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: Potentially hampering US efforts to arm Ukraine against Russia's invasion, rebuild local infrastructure and boost production, manufacturers of ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: After a series of high-profile incidents aboard US aircraft, several bipartisan lawmakers will again push for legislation to ...
HANOI, Vietnam: Tensions were again increasing off the coast of Vietnam as Hanoi ordered its navy to shadow a Chinese ...
In Warsaw last February, President Joe Biden condemned the lawless Russian invasion of Ukraine: "The idea that over 100,000 forces ...
TOKYO, Japan: Fears over intensifying Chinese military activity directed towards Taiwan could escalate into war have prompted Japan, the United ...
EDINBURGH, Scotland: Humza Yousaf, the first Muslim to lead a democratic western European nation, was sworn in as Scotland's new ...
Sochi has become one of the three most expensive markets for top-end properties in the world, according to the NF ...
London [United Kingdom], April 2 (ANI):Celebrating five decades of tiger conservation, India marked the 50th anniversary of "Project Tiger" on ...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 2 (ANI): The airport spotting of Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha continues. The duo was captured ...
London - Three British men have been detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Presidium Network, U.K. nonprofit group, said ...
The Minnesota Rokkr won both of their matches, and the Los Angeles Thieves won for the second time in two ...