Rescue Heroes Without Equipment

Rescue Heroes Without Equipment

Last Tuesday's 6.4 magnitude earthquake that caused casualties and injured hundreds of people is commonly being referees to as one of the most ominous days in Albania's history. 

Renea Special Forces, along with Tirana, Fier and Shkodra Rapid Intervention Forces, and the Durrës Police Directorate have been involved in search and rescue operations in Durrës and Thumana for more than 32 hours.

Local residents are calling the members of search and rescue teams "heroes", as they have done everything within their capabilities to assist the remaining citizens under the ruins of the buildings.

With limited equipments including basic shovels and even their bare hands, the Albanian team did everything to pull survivors from the wreckage to a response of applause when their operation of goodwill resulted in victory and, of course, tears when their hands extracted lifeless bodies.

Unprepared for such a situation, the Rapid Intervention Forces grouped and to dig deep into the rubble, despite the dangers they faced themselves in doing so.

The Kosovar Army, trained to manage such emergency situations as these, also assisted the Albanian team by bringing in a specialized rescue team, which the Albanian Prime Minister referred to as strong, capable, disciplined and tireless, working hard until the mission is successfully accomplished.

They are undoubtedly the most compelling parable of the state-building of Kosovo.

Meanwhile it has been noticed that the Albanian Rescue teams appear to lack the logistical capabilities and experience required for managing the current crisis.

This lack of experience was observed in Durrës, where the Head of the Government was allowed to approach a site where searches were being conducted under the rubble without being equipped with any protective gear.

It was the Greek Civil Emergency Team that successfully completed the work that had been conducted by Albanians for hours, thanks to their experience and special tools for handling such situations.

Përktheu: Paola Pupla

EMISIONET