Moldova rescuers save 1,300 lives in H1 2026
Moldovan rescuers and firefighters carried out over 13,000 missions in the first half of 2026, averaging 72 interventions per day.
According to the bi-annual report by the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU), total interventions rose by 1,449 compared to the same period in 2025, resulting in 1,333 lives saved.
Search-and-rescue operations surged by 44.6% to reach 3,713 missions, while structural and field fires dropped by 17.4% down to 932 incidents.
Emergency crews rescued over 1,300 individuals from 253 fires and 1,080 search-and-rescue operations across the country.
The highest operational volume was recorded in the Chișinău municipality, where emergency personnel conducted 4,694 missions.
Additionally, crews responded to 1,026 dry vegetation fires that affected 1.7 million hectares.
During this period, IGSU managed several major emergencies, including warehouse fires on Mihai Viteazul, Lunca Bâcului, and Mihail Sadoveanu streets, as well as an apartment block attic fire on Melestiu Street in Chișinău. Financed by international partners and state budget allocations, IGSU expanded its operational fleet with 24 vehicles, a mobile reservoir, and four motor pumps.
The newly received equipment includes eight cars, one off-road vehicle, three trucks, one specialized vehicle, two excavators, a motor grader, six minibuses, and two ATVs.
Data from the 112 Emergency Service indicates that IGSU handled nearly 3.3% of all incoming calls, compared to 69.37% managed by the Urgent Medical Assistance Service and 27.36% by the Police.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
