MINSK, 26 September (BelTA) – Members of the special operations unit of Belarus' Emergencies Ministry are paricipating in the NATO's international exercise Bosna I Hercegovina 2017 in the town of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry.
The exercise has brought together teams from 20 countries. The group of Belarusian rescue workers comprises specialists of the chemical and radiation protection service, the search and rescue department, a K-9 unit, divers, industrial alpinists, and an emergency and rescue motorcycle unit.
According to the scenario of the exercise, on 20 September 2017, the River Bosnia and its tributaries flooded the northeastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina due to heavy rains. On 21 September 2017, an earthquake measuring 5 on the Richter scale struck the wider area of Lukavac and caused enormous damage to buildings and constructions. Aftershocks can break the dam.
The 24-member search-and-rescue team of the special operations unit of Belarus' Emergencies Ministry travelled 1200 km in special vehicles from Chisinau to Tuzla on 22-24 September. The Belarusian rescue workers pitched an autonomous camp and helped their fellow rescuers from Bosnia and Herzegovina and locals respond to the natural disaster.
Theoretical and practical exercise is taking place on 25-26 September. It includes water rescue, urban search and rescue, and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protection. The main field exercise will be held on 27 and 28 September in special areas.
The opening ceremony of the consequence management field exercise Bosna I Hercegovina 2017 took place on 25 September.
Photos courtesy of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry
