Second part of Serbian Armed Forces contingent departs for flood-hit Slovenia

BELGRADE - The second part of a Serbian Armed Forces contingent departed for Slovenia on Thursday to join a humanitarian relief operation following catastrophic flooding that has hit the country, the Serbian Ministry of Defence said.

The group is comprised of 34 Serbian Armed Forces servicemen who will engage in ensuring water and fuel supplies, biological disinfection of buildings and soil in jeopardised areas, as well as in engineering works aimed at clearing communication lines.

The first part of the contingent - 22 army servicemen and H-145 and Mi-17 helicopters outfitted with medevac gear and airlift equipment - arrived in the engagement zone on Wednesday and began executing its tasks in rugged mountainous terrain in the north of the country.