An elite team of 57 Los Angeles County firefighters was deployed to the earthquake-ravaged nation of Nepal to assist in rescue and recovery efforts on Sunday.
A massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck the South Asian nation on Saturday, killing more than 3,200 people and causing widespread destruction.
The USA - 2 Medium Urban Search and Rescue team departed from the March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County on Sunday and are expected to arrive in Kathmandu on Monday, according to an LA County Fire Department news release.
The search and rescue team is trained to use special equipment to rescue people from collapsed structures and confined spaces. At the request of the Nepal government, the group will assist with rescue and recovery efforts.
