The joint exercise "MEDEVAC – 2026" demonstrated coordinated actions for providing emergency medical care and medical evacuation from a vessel in the waters of the Danube River near the port of Ruse. The scenario showcased the interaction between institutions in responding to an incident on board a ship and measures to ensure safe navigation through the placement of navigational aids.
The simulation recreated an incident on the motor vessel "Venus", sailing under the Serbian flag, in which the captain was seriously injured and the vessel lost control in the fairway. After a call was made to 112, a rescue operation was activated. A team from the Emergency Medical Centre – Ruse provided medical assistance on board, after which the injured person was evacuated by a vessel of the Regional Directorate "Border Police" – Ruse and transported to a medical facility. At the same time, specialised equipment from the Executive Agency "Study and Maintenance of the Danube River" marked and secured the area with illuminated floating signs.
Teams from Directorate General "Emergency and Rescue Operations", Directorate "River Surveillance" – Ruse, Regional Directorate "Border Police" – Ruse, Executive Agency "Study and Maintenance of the Danube River", Emergency Medical Centre – Ruse, District Centre 112 – Ruse, and RIS Centre – Ruse took part in the exercise.
Conducting such exercises is crucial for maintaining a high level of readiness to respond to real-life emergencies and for ensuring the safety of people and navigation on the Danube River.
