CANBERRA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announced Tuesday that Australia will more than double its humanitarian assistance and send more disaster experts to quake-devastated Yogyakarta in Indonesia.

    Downer said over 80 Australian disaster experts will be sent to Yogyakarta under an expanded emergency response to Saturday's deadly quake, in which more than 5,000 people have been killed.

    The move will increase Australia's commitment for critical humanitarian assistance to survivors of the quake to 7.5 million Australian dollars (5.7 million U.S. dollars), Downer said in a statement.

    Australia has committed 3 million Australian dollars (2.3 million U.S. dollars) in emergency aid.

    "A 27-person medical team comprising surgeons, anaesthetists, operating staff, disaster medicine specialists and logisticians, led by a representative of Australia's international aid agency AusAID, will leave from Sydney today," Downer said.

    The team will take 12 tons of equipment with them, he said.

    He said medical, hospital and relief supplies, including orthopaedic instruments are also being provided.

    Australia is closely monitoring developments and stands ready to offer additional assistance if necessary, Downer said. Enditem