Alert from the waste zone! - A distress signal from a trash can triggers a massive search and rescue operation.
An abandoned emergency beacon in a trash can led to a massive search and rescue mission in the small town of Walchum, with a population of 1400, situated by the Ems River on Friday afternoon.
One man on a barge in the Ems River received a distress call, according to the local police's report made over the weekend. The barge owner notified the lockkeeper in Herbrum, prompting a large-scale response.
Arriving at the scene with 16 vehicles, four boats, two drones, and several divers, the rescuers assumed someone was in the water and started a comprehensive search of the marina, Walchum. Unfortunately, no one was found near the harbor.
Tracing the mystery distress signal
Meanwhile, a man on duty reported on Friday that he had accidentally disposed of a faulty emergency beacon in a dumpster by the harbor the day before.
The emergency responders located the small beacon, sitting at about 10 cm in size, which had inadvertently started emitting a distress signal from the trash can.
Alongside the fire department's crew, the water police also made an appearance.
Emergency beacons serve to locate, warn, and save individuals in maritime accidents or when individuals accidentally fall overboard.
These beacons assist in locating the site of the incident, broadcasting about the emergency to other passing vessels, and triggering a general alert for assistance.
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