Fire-fighters continue search and rescue effort in Japan

The international search and rescue efforts in Japan continue, with a joint UK/US team, including seven fire fighters from Greater Manchester, operating in the northern town of Ofunato (415 Km NNE of Tokyo). The teams have spent the day searching an extensive area, but have not so far located any live casualties.

They are continuing with search and rescue operations at 6.00am local time. After the search of the area has been completed the team members may assist with the demolition of some of the buildings badly affected during the earthquake activity, using heavy machinery.

The teams continue to monitor the ongoing environmental radiation levels following the issue with the nuclear facilities damaged during the earthquake, but currently the specialist advice is there is no risk outside the exclusion zones (which are about 100km away from the teams). The teams continue to monitor the situation on the ground along with their US colleagues; they also have the means to evacuate from the area if necessary.

Currently it is snowing in Ofunato and this is forecast to continue for the next two days.