The Salvation Army provides aid after plane crash in Medan, Indonesia
Salvation Army team members at the crash site
MEMBERS of The Salvation Army's 'Compassion in Action' teams in Indonesia responded swiftly to provide assistance after a Boeing 737-200 crashed onto a busy road in the Padang Bulan area of Medan. Around 150 passengers died and another 50 people on the ground were killed. Several houses were destroyed as well as buses, cars and motorcycles.
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, paramedics, police, military personnel and firefighters struggled to reach the wreckage because of raging fires.
The police let The Salvation Army team through to the crash site where it provided water for rescuers. One Salvationist reports: 'Thousands of people were on the spot, some crying, some trying to reach their own houses or relatives' houses. The smell was terrible and there was black dust all around. Dead bodies were carried by the military ... burned pieces of bone were collected. It was like a nightmare.'
Four Salvation Army team members stayed at the crash site while the rest went back to Samanhudi Girls' Home to prepare food for the military and police. Around 500 meals were distributed in the afternoon and another 600 in the evening. Salvationists also went to homes that had been destroyed to take food to the survivors.
Salvation Army team members distribute food
