By project FloodNorthALB staff
Exercise – Exercise – Exercise
According to reports from LEMA, the current situation is as follows:
International teams deployed in support, in close cooperation with Albanian teams, are actively engaged and continue intensive operations in the affected areas. At present, intervention and rescue operations are ongoing in Dajç Beach, Obot, Kisha e Shirgjit, Berdicë e Mesme, Velipojë, and Beltojë.
Authorities remain on full alert and continue their efforts to ensure the safety and support of residents in the affected areas.
Exercise- Exercise- Exercise
According to the reports from LEMA, under the coordination of the National Civil Protection Agency, the efforts of national and international teams, including, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Italy, have proven essential in responding to the ongoing emergency caused by the flooding.
The Kosovo and Albania 2 teams carried out their operation in the Obot Agrotourism area. During the operation, they rescued five individuals, including a pregnant woman. The team also assisted in the transportation of the rescued individuals using boats and ambulances, working closely with the Greek and Italian teams, and helping with the delivery of equipment and personnel. At the conclusion of the operation, they reported one fatality.
The Montenegro team, positioned in Berdicë e Mesme, rescued three individuals during their operation in the area. First aid was administered on-site, and the injured were then transported for further treatment. The operation was concluded after no further victims or individuals in need were identified.
The North Macedonia team also operated in the Berdicë e Mesme area, where they rescued three individuals, one of whom had a leg injury. The team cooperated with health services and the Red Cross for the evacuation and treatment of the rescued individuals. After conducting thorough searches in the field and finding no further persons at risk, the operation was concluded.
The Italian Red Cross and Albania 4 teams worked in the Shirgjit Church and Xhamia e Plumbit areas, where they assessed the damage caused by the flooding. They successfully completed their work and returned to base.
The Bulgaria and Albania 1 teams operated in the Beltojë-Hoxha area and then in Plazh Dajç. They rescued seven people, four of whom were transported by ambulance. They also found a deceased body. The team used equipment such as boats, pumps, and drones to cope with the flooding and conduct their search efforts. The operation was concluded after the search was completed.
The Greece team, in cooperation with Kosovo and Albania 2, worked in Obot Agroturism, where they rescued several individuals, including a woman with a fracture. They also assisted in the evacuation of livestock and managed a sensitive situation with residents who refused to leave without their animals. The cooperation between teams was effective, and the operation concluded after the worsening of weather conditions.
The Italian team operated in the Dajç beach area, where they rescued seven individuals and found one victim. They were supported by a Albanian boat and later by the Bulgarian team, who contributed with a high-capacity pump and drone. The operation concluded after the area was fully searched and controlled.
The team consisting of the Italian Red Cross, CBRN, MZSH, and other representatives worked in the Gjon Lulit Bridge area, where they coordinated the intervention with ambulances and successfully carried out the search and rescue operation. After completing their mission the team returned to base.
Images taken from the Next Generation Command System platform.
About the author
Project FloodNorthALB staff
Managing Complex Floods in North Albania through Cross Border Host Nation Support and Joint Cooperation.