Slovak Firefighters Continue to Help Clear Up after Floods in Italy

Bratislava, May 26 (TASR) - Slovak firefighters are continuing to help with the clear-up work following the floods in Italy, pumping out water in the city of Ravenna (Emilia-Romagna region), Firefighters and Emergency Corps (HaZZ) Presidium spokesperson Katarina Krizanova told TASR on Friday. The Slovak High Capacity Pumping (HCP) module has extracted 370,000 cubic metres of water on the site so far. "The help of the Slovak HCP module is still needed in the city of Ravenna, where our firefighters are constantly pumping out water. The firefighters are working continuously in eight-hour shifts," said Krizanova. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday (May 25) visited Emilia-Romagna region, which was hit hardest by the floods. According to Krizanova, she also met representatives of the Slovak group. "She personally thanked every representative of the rescue forces on the spot and expressed her solidarity with the flood-hit population of Italy," said Krizanova. Slovakia has sent 25 firefighters and two large-capacity pumps to Italy. They are able to pump out 6,000 cubic metres of water per hour. ko/df