The German military has sent more than 20 doctors and nurses together with ventilators and hospital beds to coronavirus-stricken Portugal, where a severe rise in cases has prompted several European nations to offer their help.

“The mission is necessary because there is currently an extremely difficult situation in Portugal and because we have to show here within the framework of European solidarity that countries can only master these great challenges together,” military general doctor Ulrich Baumgaertner said.

Portugal’s ambassador Francisco Pimentel de Mello Ribeiro de Menezes thanked the German government and military for the medical support: “Their work is going to be much welcomed in Portugal and we will be forever grateful for this assistance.”