|
|
|
|
|
13 March 2026
|
Six of London Fire Brigade’s firefighters recently returned from Mozambique
|
|
Six of London Fire Brigade’s firefighters recently returned from Mozambique, where they helped people hit by the ‘worst flooding in a generation’ as part of the UK International Search and Rescue (ISAR) team. As part of the 36-strong UK ISAR team comprised of specialist personnel from fire and rescue services, they were deployed with support from UK Government, with four rescue boats, drones and specialist equipment, enabling them to clear fallen trees and debris, assess affected areas from the air and carry out search and rescue operations. Firefighters also co-ordinated delivery of aid by air.
London Fire Brigade’s UK ISAR co-ordinator Ian Simpson, said: “I could not be prouder of the team’s dedication, resilience, and professionalism, which directly contributed to saving lives and supporting the wider humanitarian response.”
The team successfully rescued over 80 people using complicated flood rescues. They systematically checked and cleared residential buildings, schools and other public buildings to identify and assist anyone in need of rescue.
Men, women and children were rescued, including people who had been stranded in floodwater, in some cases, for several days.
Teams also delivered crucial aid such as water and food to small, isolated communities that had been cut off by floodwaters and without access to for up to a week.
Leading Firefighter Sarah Mimnagh said: “We faced significant challenges, but everyone worked incredibly hard to try and make a difference to the people who really needed it. Seeing that amount of devastation and damage has been a very humbling experience. Our thoughts remain with all the Mozambique people who have lost loved ones and are now trying to survive in very difficult circumstances.”
The floods have impacted an estimated 850,000 people and left 77,000 homeless, with major damage to health facilities and over 7,000 kilometres of roads damaged across nine provinces. Reports estimate that over half of those affected by the floods were children, with many hundreds of people trapped by floodwaters.
Source: London Fire Brigade
London Fire Brigade’s UK ISAR co-ordinator Ian Simpson, said: “I could not be prouder of the team’s dedication, resilience, and professionalism, which directly contributed to saving lives and supporting the wider humanitarian response.”
The team successfully rescued over 80 people using complicated flood rescues. They systematically checked and cleared residential buildings, schools and other public buildings to identify and assist anyone in need of rescue.
Men, women and children were rescued, including people who had been stranded in floodwater, in some cases, for several days.
Teams also delivered crucial aid such as water and food to small, isolated communities that had been cut off by floodwaters and without access to for up to a week.
Leading Firefighter Sarah Mimnagh said: “We faced significant challenges, but everyone worked incredibly hard to try and make a difference to the people who really needed it. Seeing that amount of devastation and damage has been a very humbling experience. Our thoughts remain with all the Mozambique people who have lost loved ones and are now trying to survive in very difficult circumstances.”
The floods have impacted an estimated 850,000 people and left 77,000 homeless, with major damage to health facilities and over 7,000 kilometres of roads damaged across nine provinces. Reports estimate that over half of those affected by the floods were children, with many hundreds of people trapped by floodwaters.
Source: London Fire Brigade
