Serbia Deploys Super Puma Helicopter and Firefighters to Spain for Wildfire Relief
Serbia, acting through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, sent a H‑215 Super Puma helicopter with a five‑person crew to Spain to assist in fighting large forest fires. The helicopter can carry four tonnes of water and required roughly eight hours to reach the Castile and León region near Navalcornero, close to Madrid. Minister of Internal Affairs Ivica Dačić announced that, in addition to the aircraft, Serbia would deploy 37 firefighters‑rescuers, three members of a medical team and 16 vehicles. The Serbian units joined an international aerial response that includes nine aircraft – seven helicopters and two Canadair water‑bombers – after Spain and France requested assistance for an especially severe wildfire season.
The deployment was publicly confirmed by Dačić via social media and press statements, emphasizing Serbia’s commitment to international solidarity and the capability of its emergency services.
Entities: Castile and León · H‑215 Super Puma helicopter · Ivica Dačić · Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) of Serbia · Republic of Serbia · Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs · Spain · Super Puma helicopter
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Serbia sent an H‑215 Super Puma helicopter with a five‑person crew to Spain for wildfire fighting. (Ivica Dačić)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Minister of Internal Affairs Ivica Dačić announced the deployment. (Ivica Dačić)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The deployment was made through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. (Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Serbia will also send 37 firefighters‑rescuers, three medical team members and 16 vehicles to assist in Spain. (Ivica Dačić)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Super Puma helicopter can carry four tonnes of water and needs about eight hours to reach its destination in Spain. (Ivica Dačić)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The international aerial response in the area includes nine aircraft – seven helicopters and two Canadair water‑bombers. (Ivica Dačić)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Spain, together with France, requested international assistance for the severe wildfire season. (Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Serbian resources are operating in the Castile and León region near Navalcornero, close to Madrid. (Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs)