Slovak Firefighters Return from Italy Where They Helped Clear Up after Floods

Bratislava, June 4 (TASR) - Slovak firefighters returned from Italy on Sunday morning where they helped remove the consequences of floods. This was the second deployment of our firefighters abroad this year. In February, they intervened together with Slovak mountain rescuers in Turkey that was hit by an earthquake. The Italians appreciated our firefighters and called our module efficient and professional. "I'm proud of the information from the deployment. Our module was very efficient and professional. It isn't our opinion, but it's also the opinion of the Italians," Firefighters and Emergency Corps (HaZZ) head Pavol Mikulasek told a press conference on Sunday. Interior Minister Ivan Simko as well as head of our diplomacy Miroslav Wlachovsky also thanked the Slovak firefighters. The foreign minister emphasised that our firefighters left a good name, which was also appreciated by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. "I told them that I consider them to be our best diplomats, best goodwill ambassadors when they show that Slovaks are people with open hearts and hardworking hands," said Wlachovsky. The recent floods in Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy caused damage worth more than €7 billion. Slovakia sent 25 firefighters and two high-capacity pumps to Italy which allow a total of 6,000 cubic metres of water to be pumped per hour. Our firefighters helped near the towns of Ravenna and Conselice. In total, they pumped 1,350,000 cubic metres of water. am