VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese firefighters have played a crucial role in helping their Portuguese counterparts keep raging wildfires from reaching the village of Ervedosa, located about 450 kilometres from Lisbon.
The massive fires, fuelled by an intense heatwave, have posed a serious threat to rural communities. Members of Malta’s Civil Protection department joined the frontline efforts under a European Union programme, which deploys firefighters across member states to assist in emergency operations.
Their presence in Portugal has provided much-needed reinforcement as local crews struggled to contain the fast-spreading blazes. Officials said the coordinated action prevented flames from advancing into the village, safeguarding homes and residents.
A first group of 20 Maltese firefighters, who have been in Portugal over recent days, are set to return to Malta this evening. Meanwhile, a second group of 20 departed earlier today to continue supporting the firefighting mission.
The deployment underscores the EU’s commitment to solidarity in times of crisis, as southern Europe faces recurring wildfires worsened by extreme weather. For Malta’s Civil Protection officers, it marks yet another international operation where their expertise and courage have made a difference.
– Photo Malta’s Civil Protection department –
(ITALPRESS)
