Rescuers pull more vehicles out of snow in southern Moldova

Chisinau, 29 January /MOLDPRES/ - Rescuers and firemen in the last 24 hours have been alerted to intervene in more situations, in order to de-block transport means which got stick in snow because of the bad weather.   

According to the Interior Ministry’s (MAI) General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU), 22 cars with 35 people, of whom three children, were towed by rescuers, after they had remained blocked on the R-38 road Cahul-Taraclia nearby the settlement Albota de Jos.  

Another case was recorded in the Comrat district, on the R-35 road, nearby the Bascalia settlement. IGSU employees there carried out works of towing two vehicles which had got stuck in snow.  Firemen’s intervention was also needed in the Cahul district, between the Iujnoe and Burlaceni settlements, to de-block an ambulance moving to a patient, which was not able to continue moving because of the unfriendly weather conditions.   

During the monitoring of roads’ state, on the R-38 Cahul-Vulcanesti highway, IGSU employees towed ten vehicles with 31 people onboard, of whom six children. Moreover, rescuers de-blocked from snow a coach moving on the route Chisinau-Constanta with 20 passengers onboard, which got stuck in snow on the R-38 road, Cahul district, nearby the Moscovei settlement. Subsequently, during the movement of a crew of rescuers, another 11 cars were towed, with 37 people onboard, of whom six minors. Another case took place nearby the Slobozia Mare settlement, Cahul district, where two vehicles remained blocked in snow because of the heavy snowfall. A crew of rescuers arrived on the spot, who towed the vehicles with seven people onboard, of whom two children.    

IGSU employees intervened also in the Taraclia town, in order to tow an ambulance, which was returning from an intervention and because of the slope road with glazed frost, it was not able to continue moving. Another case was registered in the Ceadar-Lunga town, Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, where a truck slid from the road, blocking the movement for other participants in the traffic. A crew of rescuers and firemen intervened on the spot and de-blocked the truck from snow and thus allowing the transport means moving on the road.      

IGSU employees intervened also in the central Criuleni district, Goianul Nou settlement, as well as in the Causeni district, Florica settlement, in order to de-block vehicles which had got stuck in snow banks.  

In the context, IGSU warns people about the risk of the consequences of the complicated weather conditions. Thus, rescuers and firemen urge citizens not to set out, if there is no a pressing need for this. If the trip cannot be postponed, rescuers urge drivers to equip their transport means according to the cold season and they should have a shovel, sand and anti-skid chains in the boot. Moreover, the setting out should start, only if the people took warm winter clothes and warm beverages with them. In emergency situations, people are urged to call the 112 Service.   

According to the State Hydrometeorological Service, light snow is maintained, predominantly in the southern part of Moldova on 29 January, and no precipitation is expected on 30 January. Roads will be covered with glazed frost. The minimal air temperature will drop from 0 - - 5 Celsius degrees to -4 - -9 degrees on the night of 30 January, with the lowest air temperatures due to be recorded in the southern regions. During the day, the maximal air temperatures will oscillate between -2 and +3 degrees.

Photo: IGSU