Haiti/France - earthquake

French, Americans rescued from hotel rubble

Article published on the 2010-01-15 Latest update 2010-01-15 12:15 TU

Men try to reach trapped survivors at the Montana hotel
(Photo: Reuters)

French emergency services are working alongside US, Chilean and Venezuelan rescue workers in the rubble of Haiti's Montana Hotel. On Thursday evening, 30 French soldiers and four dogs rescued seven Americans and a Haitian who had been trapped in the reception of the hotel of which the concrete roof had collapsed.

The US State Department said Friday that eight search and rescue teams with a total of 260 people were on the ground in Haiti, and 30 countries have sent or pledged help.

"The people that have spent 50 hours in the rubble are in a very decent state of health," said Samuel Bernes, the leader of civil security. "They are physically and morally relieved to get out of this rat hole."

Richard Santos, an American, was rescued by French emergency services after 50 hours trapped inside the hotel.

"The co-operation with the French team was exceptional," said Rebecca Gustafson, a member of the US aid agency USAID. Her team rescued a French woman who had been trapped for 50 hours.

"In case we needed proof that she was French, she asked us for a glass of wine," said Gustafson.