Morocco quake: Rescuers from Lincolnshire promise to stay as long as necessary

Firefighters from Lincolnshire are helping in the UK‘s operation to find people who survived the earthquake in Morocco. They have committed to staying there until everyone is found.

Over 2,900 people have been reported dead in the earthquake that happened last Friday. It is the most deadly earthquake the country has experienced in the past 60 years.

Four firefighters and a rescue dog recently became members of the UK International Search and Rescue Team (UKISAR).

Karl Keuneke, who usually works at Lincoln South fire station, said that his team is still discovering people who are alive.

The Lincolnshire team includes Mr. Keuneke, Darren Burchnall, Ben Clarke, Neil Woodmansey, and rescue dog Colin.
They are part of a group of 60 firefighters from 14 fire services in the UK. They are part of UKISAR, which helps injured people and looks for survivors stuck under buildings that have fallen down.

The center of the shaking was in the High Atlas Mountains, about 71 kilometers (44 miles) away from Marrakesh. Most of the places that were hit the hardest are far-away villages and towns.

Mr Keuneke explained that the team stayed near the bottom of the mountains and had to drive for many hours to reach places where people were stuck.

He said that search teams are finding people who are still alive, so there is still a chance for more people to be saved.

The firefighter said they saw a lot of destruction in the areas that were hit the hardest.

It feels really strange to be here. Clearly, we did a lot of practice before we went to work and we are firefighters in the UK, but it is very different from what we are familiar with.

He said, “We will stay here as long as we can help the people. ”