Israeli search and rescue team heads to Germanwings crash site
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Israeli search and rescue team heads to Germanwings crash site

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The ZAKA team prepares for its trip to the Germanwings crash site. (Courtesy ZAKA)

An Israeli search and rescue unit has flown to the scene of the Germanwings plane crash disaster in the French Alps to assist in the mission to recover victims.

The delegation of eight ZAKA International rescue unit volunteers flew in the early hours of Monday morning, and will arrive later that day.

ZAKA is a voluntary organisation that specialises in search and rescue operations.

ZAKA team briefing at Ben Gurion airport
ZAKA team briefing at Ben Gurion airport (Courtesy ZAKA)

Lufthansa, the parent company of Germanwings, agreed to the request of the family of Israeli victim, Eyal Baum, to bring ZAKA from Israel.

They will look to recover and identify the remains of victims, including Eyal Baum, who it is hoped will be given a full Jewish burial in Israel.

The delegation will be led by ZAKA International Rescue Unit head Mati Goldstein and ZAKA International Rescue Unit Chief of Operations Chaim Weingarten.

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