Fifteen Slovak Firefighters and Five Rescuers with Dogs Return from Venezuela

Bratislava, 5 July (TASR) - A government aircraft landed at Bratislava airport on Sunday, bringing back to Slovakia 15 firefighters and five rescuers from the Mountain Rescue Service (HZS), along with four service dogs. They spent last week in the epicentre of the devastating earthquake in Venezuela, helping with response efforts alongside more than 700 rescuers from 19 European countries. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD), who greeted them upon arrival, thanked them for their commitment, dedication and for perfect representation of Slovakia. "The MUSAR rescue team left the airport a week ago with more than two tonnes of equipment, which was used on site to help clear debris following the earthquake and search for survivors. Although no lives were ultimately rescued from the rubble, the mission was meaningful. We demonstrated our readiness and commitment, and showed the importance of building human capacities that deserve respect and esteem of the whole society," said the minister. According to him, this is also proof of the justification of all investments in the Fire and Rescue Corps (HaZZ), as well as HZS across Slovakia. He noted that the Slovak Interior Ministry's squadron, after complicated logistic operations, helped Czech rescuers, who were stranded in the Caracas area, to get directly to the place where they were deployed. Sutaj Estok added that he had already been passed on thanks from the Venezuelan government to the Slovak government. ko