The 7.2 magnitude earthquake caused cracks in the crown of the Aposelemi dam according to the scenario of the major exercise “Minos 2024”, which is taking place in the four regional units of Crete from Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 April.

In the abandoned village of Sfentyli, which due to the drought has “resurfaced” again, a series of exercises took place on the second day of the exercise, involving the rescue of injured people, rescue and transport of people found in the water with special inflatable means, transport of the dead, first aid to the injured in safe tents set up around the dam.

Special assistance in the exercises was provided by the specially trained dogs of the EMAK as well as drone operators who scanned the area to locate any injured people.

The general coordination, supervision and guidance of the exercise was provided by the Commander of the 3rd EMAK Mr. Stavros Kalogiannakis.

The exercise involved men of the Fire Corps, rescuers of the Emergency Medical Services, firefighters of the 3rd EMAK, police officers, the Army, volunteers from the “The Smile of the Child” (Chamogelo tou Paidiou), officials from the Civil Protection, the Greek Red Cross and volunteers from the school of the Emergency Medical Services who played the role of trapped people while others desperately called for help.

About 150,000 people are taking part in the exercise, which is the first time it is being held in Crete and the first time it is being held on such a large scale nationwide and, as OASP President Efthimios Lekkas said, “every year there will be a similar exercise in a different area of Greece.”