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Netanyahu. Condolences
Photo: Avi Ohayon, GPO
Berlusconi flies over quake-stricken area
Photo: Reuters
Israeli student Hussein Hamda. Still missing
Photo courtesy of panet.co.il website

Israeli mission to aid Italy after quake

Prime Minister Netanyahu offers his condolences to Italian counterpart Berlusconi following powerful earthquake which claimed lives of at least 250 people. Father of missing Israeli national still hoping for good news against all odds

Italian rescue forces continued to search for survivors Wednesday following the powerful earthquake which hit the L'Aquila area early Monday. Authorities put the death toll at 250, with dozens of people still missing, including Israeli student Hussein Hamada.

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with his counterpart Silvio Berlusconi on Wednesday and pledged Israel's assistance to Italy.

 

Netanyahu offered the Italian premier Israel's condolences for its losses, and offered Rome any assistance necessary, noting Israel's experience in the rescue and rehabilitation fields. Berlusconi thanked Netanyahu for the gesture.

 

The Foreign Ministry was said to be preparing to send a delegation of trauma experts to the quake-stricken area in the coming days.


Chances of finding survivors very slim (Photo: AFP)

 

Rachel Feinmesser, spokeswoman of the Israeli Embassy in Rome, told Ynet on Wednesday morning that there was no new information regarding the missing Israeli student.

 

Hussein Hamada's father, who flew to Italy immediately after learning of the disaster, was informed Tuesday that the chances of finding any survivors in the building where his son had resided were very slim.

 

Meanwhile Wednesday, embassy officials continued searching for Hamada in hospitals located in the quake-stricken area and in further places. The student's aunt said the family was hoping for good news.

 

The Foreign Ministry reported that 20 Israelis studying near L'Aquila had landed in Israel early Wednesday. Twelve additional students were expected to fly to Tel Aviv on Wednesday night.

 

Adva Naftali contributed to this report

 


פרסום ראשון: 04.08.09, 13:46
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