Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Cape Verdean Armed Forces (FACV) announced on Wednesday, August 13, that, through the Coast Guard and the First Military Region, they are on the ground responding to the heavy rains that hit São Vicente in the early hours of August 11, causing casualties, destruction of infrastructure, the washing of vehicles into the sea, and the blocking of roads.
In a social media post, the Armed Forces explained that the intervention began on the morning of August 11, following a mission assigned by the National Civil Protection Service (SNPC), in coordination with the National Police and other entities.
“The teams conducted diving operations and searched for bodies and washed-up vehicles, with the support of divers, surface swimmers from the Boarding Platoon, and Coast Guard vessels. They protected properties threatened by looting, especially in commercial areas,” it revealed.
The same source noted that drainage and removal of property from the Bela Vista Health Center, which stores vaccines for the northern region, is underway; draining water from sensitive facilities, such as the District Courthouse, CNAD, and Naval Squadron facilities; cleaning roads, such as Avenida 12 de Setembro, in addition to providing direct support to affected families.
According to the same source, security at Cesária Évora International Airport was reinforced with sentry posts after damage to the perimeter fence. Temporary housing was prepared for displaced people.
The FACV also reported that, between August 11th and 13th, military personnel from the Coast Guard Command and the First Military Region, including three Portuguese instructors and reinforcements from Santiago Island, were mobilized to support operations on the ground.
“Despite communication difficulties, an initial lack of equipment, and a shortage of adapted vehicles, the military presence was extremely important in preventing looting,” it noted.
The same source reported that the Coast Guard’s boarding platoon located the fifth vehicle submerged at sea on Wednesday the 13th and assisted in the recovery of several vehicles from the sea.
The FACV guarantees that operations are ongoing, with new interventions being prepared and ongoing coordination with the SNPC, Municipal Fire Department, and National Police.
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