Maltese rescuers praised

Maltese rescuers were praised today for having achieved their targets in an earthquake simulation exercise hours before they were expected to.

The rescuers, who were taking part in a four-nation exercise in the ruins of a German village near Wessel, were tasked with gaining access to and rescuing people 'trapped' in a tunnel. They did so in a 16-hour operation which started yesterday and continued overnight.

The operation involved removal of heavy debris and the breaking down of a large concrete slab, with the volunteers working in tight, dangerous conditions.

German exercise observers said they had expected the operation to last well into today.

Members of the Maltese team yesterday were also involved in a rope access rescue situation from a high rise building to evacuate more trapped people.

The Maltese rescuers are volunteers forming part of the Spider team of the Civil Protection Department.

Rescuers from Germany, Holland and the UK also took part in the exercise.

See also - http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091009/local/rescuers-in-tough-earthquake-exercise