“On the 9th day of the search, we heard a groan from under the rubble. A moment of silence was declared and...” - a member of the search and rescue mission in Turkey
On March 14, 2023, the extraordinary Vitaly Kamadze was awarded a valuable gift on behalf of Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmyhal - a wristwatch. He is the deputy head of the emergency rescue department of the Mobile Rescue Center of the Emergency Rapid Response Center of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. In February this year, an emergency worker took part in a search and rescue mission in Turkey. The work was carried out in one of the most difficult parts of the city of Antakya in the province of Hatay in the south of the country. This region was the most affected by the earthquake.
Vitaly noted that the specificity of the analysis of rubble after rocket attacks and earthquakes is different. Despite the high probability of collapse of the structures of the destroyed entrance, the emergency workers searched for people under the rubble with almost no heavy equipment.
“After the rocket attacks, the houses are more destroyed. In Turkey, there were earthquakes, so the buildings seem to be intact, but very shaky. It was necessary to control the personnel more, because the accident rate was increased. But we coped, because we worked harmoniously and fulfilled the tasks assigned to us,” the rescuer said.
On the 9th day, a woman was saved from under the rubble.
“We worked out the sector, heard a hair-raising and like a moan. We suspended work, declared a moment of silence and a canine calculation confirmed the location of the injured woman. With the help of cameras within 15 minutes we freed her. Surprisingly, the woman was unharmed, although she was in the rubble of stones. We transferred the victim to the ambulance doctors in a unconscious state,” Vitaly Kamadadze recalled.
In general, Vitaly Kamadadze has been working as a rescuer for 15 years. During a full-scale war, it is constantly involved in the analysis of blockages after Russian rocket attacks. In particular, he worked in the Kyiv region, as well as in the city of Dnipro.
“Of course, all trips are difficult, but I always leave emotions somewhere at home. I work with a cold mind. Of course, when children die - it's hard. But somehow we cope, we work,” the rescuer shared.
The war in Ukraine continues, so every day the lives of Ukrainians are threatened, in particular because of enemy rocket attacks. Vitaly noted that in any situation, especially if you are under fire, it is important to remain calm.
“We understand that people panic when they find themselves under rubble. But we always know that there is a chance that we will save them alive. Important! If a person hears a minute of silence, they should, if possible, give signs - for example, knock on stones so that we can hear and free them faster,” advises the emergency worker.
The greatest desire of Vitaly Kamadze is that the victory of Ukraine will come as soon as possible, and others will have more reasons for smiles.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
