Several hundreds of people rescued by EUFOR helicopters
Szöveg: honvedelem.hu / euforbih.org | 2014. május 19. 10:26On 17th May EUFOR rescue operations started with a medical evacuation and four more were executed during the day.
While the main effort of EUFOR air operations on 16th May was in the areas of Maglaj, Tuzla and Zenica, the next day the focus of evacuations shifted to the north of the country, namely to Samac, Doboj, Brcko District and Modrica. To increase the endurance and effectiveness of EUFOR air operations, an additional helicopter refuelling point was established in Zenica.
On 16th May, 291 civilians were evacuated in 72 lifts with EUFOR Alouette and Black Hawk helicopters. During the night three trucks were transporting food, water and clothes to Maglaj where they assisted in the dissemination. They returned to Camp Butmir on 17th May, at 6 am, standing ready for further assistance to the BiH population.
17th May 2014, EUFOR continues the evacuation
EUFOR helicopters evacuate people in emergency
On 16th May around noon weather conditions improved and made air operations possible to support BiH authorities and the population. Four EUFOR helicopters were operating in the areas of Zenica, Maglaj, Tuzla and Samac to rescue dialysis patients, a pregnant woman and other people in severe emergency situations. The operations continued, as requested through the Ministry of Security.
“The most important thing is to save lives and to support the population in emergency situations. We will carry on providing support shoulder to shoulder with the AFBiH and the civilian authorities for as long as required", EUFOR Chief of Staff Brigadier General András Szűcs said.
In the afternoon of 16th May, General Szűcs went to the Ministry of Security to personally express the readiness of EUFOR to provide assistance.
Ground troops with vehicles remained on standby in Camp Butmir to provide further assistance within their means and capabilities when requested.
