Successful conclusion to firefighting mission in Albania, minister Vengu expresses gratitude to the European Civil Protection Mechanism and Romania for their assistance

Published: Tuesday, 20 August 2024 13:43

 

After five days of relentless effort, the mission to extinguish the fires in Albania has been successfully completed. The two Romanian military aircraft, a C-27J Spartan and a C-130 Hercules, deployed under the European Civil Protection Mechanism, played a critical role in combating the flames that threatened some of the most vulnerable areas in the country.

During these operations, the Romanian aircraft conducted dozens of flights over the most intense fire zones, contributing significantly to the containment and extinguishment of fires in national parks, residential areas, and challenging terrains. Their efforts were instrumental in preventing further destruction. In total, the Romanian aircraft carried out 23 water drops, deploying 141,000 liters of water in areas such as Lake Prespa, Mount Tomorr, Nënshetaj village, Orosh in Mirdita municipality, Fushë-Bulqizë and Arrën village in Kukës municipality.

Defense Minister Pirro Vengu expressed profound gratitude to the Romanian crew for their dedication and professionalism throughout this demanding mission. He also extended his thanks to the European Civil Protection Mechanism for its generous support and seamless cooperation in coordinating these efforts.

"This mission stands as a prime example of European solidarity and international collaboration in times of crisis. The support provided by Romania and the European Civil Protection Mechanism has been crucial in managing the emergency situation in our country." - stated Minister Vengu.

The minister also acknowledged the vital role played by the National Civil Protection Agency, which was instrumental in coordinating and supporting the operation on the ground, ensuring that both international and local efforts were efficiently aligned.

Romania’s ambassador to Albania, Octavian Şerban, who attended the event, expressed his appreciation to the European Union for its intervention and praised the Albanian forces for their diligent work in battling the fires and fostering excellent cooperation.

The Romanian aircraft had joined the firefighting efforts alongside the Albanian Armed Forces and other local authorities since August 14, contributing to the containment and resolution of the crisis.