Rome, Italy - September 18, 2024

Location: Lake Albano, Rome, Italy

In a dramatic rescue operation on Wednesday, the crew of Drago VF 156, a helicopter from the Rome Ciampino Fire Department's flight unit, successfully located and rescued two lost tourists in a forested area near Lake Albano. The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of the morning, highlighted the critical role of the fire department's aerial rescue capabilities.

The tourists, whose identities have not been released, were part of a hiking group that became disoriented during their excursion. As hours passed without their return, concerns for their safety escalated, leading to the activation of emergency services. The dense forest around Lake Albano, known for its scenic beauty but also for its challenging terrain, made ground search efforts particularly difficult.

Responding to the distress call, the Drago VF 156 helicopter, equipped with advanced navigation and communication systems, was deployed for the search. Utilizing thermal imaging technology, the crew was able to pinpoint the location of the lost hikers in the dense foliage, where visibility from the ground was severely limited.

The rescue operation, conducted under the cover of dawn, involved carefully lowering a firefighter to the stranded tourists. After securing them with safety harnesses, they were winched up into the helicopter. The operation was executed with precision to ensure the safety of both the rescuers and the rescued.

Once aboard, the tourists, who were found to be in good health but exhausted and dehydrated, were quickly transported to a safe zone near the lake. Medical personnel on standby provided immediate care, assessing any potential injuries or health issues due to their ordeal.