The thin ice on waterbodies poses a danger to citizens. Rescuers warn in particular parents with minors and ice fishermen to be cautious when going out on the ice, IPN reports.

Dumitru Vieru, deputy head of the General Prevention Division of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, said that in connection with the formation of a thin layer of ice on the waterbodies in the country, 40 mobile groups of the Inspectorate as from this week will travel throughout Moldova and will inform the population about the possible risks. This year there were no cases of death after falling under ice, but there were two minor incidents at the lake in Valea Morilor Park, where people fell into the water when they tried the ice. Therefore, the Inspectorate urges the citizens to be cautious on thin ice and avoid situations of risk. Children and ice fishermen are particularly at risk.

The Inspectorate’s employees ask people who care for minors to supervise these near waterbodies. The parents who accompany their children at skating should be very cautious, equip children with life jackets, know the first aid measures. Fishermen also need special equipment. During ice fishing, fishermen must have a 12-15 meter-long cable with a weight fixed at one end and a noose at the other, a long beam and a wide plank. They must also wear life jackets, but also keep a sharp object such as a knife, hook or nail handy for hanging on ice in case of falling.

According to doctors, the person removed from cold water must be sheltered in a warm room. The clothes must be urgently changed and then the victim must be wrapped with a warm cover and be given hot drinks.

Sixty cases of drowning that resulted in 11 deaths were recorded in Moldova in the winter season of 2023. In total, 254 people were saved from drowning by employees of water rescue stations in Moldova last year. Most cases were registered in Chisinau, where four persons were rescued during the cold period last year.