Returning British Search and Rescue Team met by Minister Noda

19 March 2011


(L to R) Mr Steve McGuirk (County Fire Officer and Chief Executive, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue), Mr Steve Buckley (UK-ISAR team member) with Border Collie Bryn, Mr Stephen O'Brien MP (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Developmen) and Mr Hitoshi Noda (Minister Plenipotentiary, Embassy of Japan).

 

 

A British Search and Rescue Team consisting of 59 rescue specialists, two rescue dogs and four medical staff returned to Manchester Airport on the 19 March, having spent three full days searching the towns of Ofunato and Kaimaishi in North East Japan following the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March.


Mr Hitoshi Noda, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Embassy of Japan in London, was at the airport to welcome the team and to convey the deepest gratitude of the Embassy for all of their efforts. Their dedication and courage are much appreciated by the Government of Japan and by the people in the affected region.


Further details of the British Government��s response to the earthquake can be found at the Department for International Development��s website at http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Media-Room/News-Stories/2011/Earthquake-in-Japan/