Emergency Drill Conducted at Marbella’s ‘Tortugas’ Lake
On Thursday, 6th February, Marbella’s ‘Tortugas’ Lake was the site of an extensive emergency drill. The exercise involved over a hundred staff members and volunteers, testing the town’s municipal emergency plan in case of severe flooding. José Eduardo Díaz, the councillor in charge of the area, praised the professionalism and detailed planning of the drill, emphasizing the town’s commitment to safety.
Various Emergency Services Participate in the Drill
The drill saw participation from local and national police officers, firefighters, civil protection volunteers, 112 Andalucía, 061 emergency health services, and the Junta de Andalucía’s emergency rescue and recovery group (GREA). The councillor highlighted the full deployment of municipal resources, coordinated through CECOPAL, and aided by drones, computer services, underwater units, and mounted police.
Drill Scenario: Hikers Trapped in a Flood
The drill was initiated at 10.20am with a call from the town’s head of emergencies, Arturo Arnalich, reporting a crisis situation. A group of fifteen hikers had been trapped in a flood under the AP-7 motorway. After gathering information, a coordination meeting was held at CECOPAL, and the municipal emergency plan was activated at 10.30am via the 112 Andalucía emergency number.
Testing the Emergency Response Mechanism
Arnalich explained that the drill was an opportunity to test the emergency response mechanism and was part of the implementation and monitoring of the plan. The exercise was versatile, including search and rescue in urban and natural environments, as well as underwater and high altitude rescue.
Fictitious Situation: Missing Hikers and Casualties
In the simulated scenario, one of the hikers alerted 112 that her companions were missing, triggering the deployment of resources. The emergency coordinator reported that one person was found dead in the lake, three were injured after falling from a dam, and the search was still on for two other hikers.
Marbella Tests its Emergency System for Severe Flooding
This drill was a test of Marbella’s emergency system, specifically designed for severe flooding. This is a potential issue for the town, especially in light of the floods that occurred in other parts of Malaga province and the Valencia region in the autumn of 2024.
