Andorra, Catalonia, Spain Underwater Teams Train Rescue at 2,600m High Lake
Specialist teams from Andorra's Fire Service, Catalonia's Generalitat, and Spain's Guardia Civil held a joint high-altitude diving drill at Estanys Forcats lake on Friday. The simulation tackled cold water and confined spaces to boost cross-border rescue coordination.
Key Points
- Joint exercise at Estanys Forcats involved Andorra's Underwater Unit, Catalonia's GRAE Subaquàtics, and Spain's Guardia Civil UAS.
- Simulated high-altitude rescue with low temperatures, difficult access, and confined lake space.
- Teams installed guide lines and tested protocols for adverse mountain conditions.
- Drill strengthens cross-border cooperation and emergency response readiness.
Specialist underwater teams from Andorra's Fire Service, Catalonia's Generalitat Fire Service, and Spain's Guardia Civil conducted a joint training exercise at Estanys Forcats, located at 2,600 metres altitude.
The session took place on Friday at the high-mountain site, which posed challenges including low water temperatures and difficult access. Participants included Andorra's Underwater Unit, the GRAE Subaquàtics team from Catalonia's Bombers de la Generalitat, and personnel from the Guardia Civil's Underwater Activities Unit (UAS) and Specialists Group in Underwater Activities based in Osca.
The exercise simulated a rescue operation in adverse conditions, testing protocols for high-altitude diving and emergency response. Teams installed a guide line to enter the lake and operated in a confined space with a physical roof overhead, conditions that heighten the demands of search and rescue missions.
Catalonia's fire service shared details on social media, noting the collaboration with Andorra's Underwater Unit. Spain's embassy in Andorra confirmed the Guardia Civil's working visit, which aimed to strengthen cross-border ties, share operational expertise, and enhance coordination among emergency services for complex mountain interventions.
Such joint drills improve specialist readiness and international cooperation in technically demanding scenarios.
Related Articles
Other articles from Catalan-language sources about the same story:
- Diari d'Andorra•
Exercici de rescat als Estanys Forcats
- Altaveu•
Els Estanys Forcats, escenari d'exercici de rescat subaquàtic
- Diari d'Andorra•
Entrenament conjunt d'especialistes subaquàtics d'Andorra i Espanya als Estanys Forcats
- Altaveu•
Especialistes subaquàtics d'Andorra, Catalunya i la Guàrdia Civil entrenen als Estanys Forcats
- El Periòdic•
Els Bombers d’Andorra i Catalunya posen a prova tècniques de rescat subaquàtic en alta muntanya extrema