VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS) – A group of 20 Maltese Civil Protection firefighters returned home on Sunday evening after spending two weeks in Portugal battling massive wildfires fueled by drought and heatwaves.
The officers described the blazes as among the largest Portugal has seen in recent years, with flames threatening villages and forcing delicate rescue operations. Assistant Rescue Officer Michele Sarlo said the mission provided valuable training in forest fire techniques. “It was a very important experience. We learned a lot and helped protect communities,” he said upon arrival at Malta International Airport.
Station Officer Alexander Vassallo described the work as “very intensive,” recalling stretches of more than three days with little rest. “The welcome we got shows they missed us,” he said, while encouraging the next Maltese team heading to Portugal to “look out for each other.”
Just hours before the returning team landed, another 20 Maltese firefighters departed for Portugal to continue supporting their Portuguese counterparts over the coming fortnight, as the fires remain active.
Civil Protection Department Director General Peter Paul Coleiro, who welcomed the officers back, said Malta’s participation forms part of the EU’s solidarity mechanism. “Our Civil Protection is today strong enough to assist other countries in need,” he noted.
For the returning team, the mission is now behind them. “All our families are here. We will get some rest before returning to our normal duties,” Sarlo said.
-Photo Ministero Interno-
(ITALPRESS).
