Marbella welcomes its three firefighters after six days of rescues in Venezuela

The mayor, Ángeles Muñoz, has welcomed José Luis Rubio, Antonio Medina, and Francisco Macías, who participated in search and rescue efforts in the La Guaira area, devastated by two earthquakes.

The Marbella firefighters are back home. José Luis Rubio, Antonio Medina, and Francisco Macías, members of the organization Firefighters for the World, have returned from Venezuela after six days on a humanitarian mission. The mayor, Ángeles Muñoz, received them this Monday at the Town Hall to thank them for their work in the areas hardest hit by the earthquakes that shook the country.

Six days of hell in La Guaira

The team set off for Venezuela without knowing exactly what they would encounter. What they saw upon arrival was absolute devastation. The two intense earthquakes had collapsed entire buildings, especially in La Guaira, a tourist area where many families spent their holidays. "The scene was desolate", reported Corporal José Luis Rubio, the group's spokesperson.

For four of the six days, the firefighters worked tirelessly. They slept near the intervention areas, under extreme logistical conditions and with a shortage of resources. "We worked practically day and night", Rubio noted. Accompanied by a rescue dog, they searched for survivors among the rubble in an operation coordinated by local authorities and international organizations.

A source of pride for Marbella

The mayor has not held back on her praise. "It is a great pride for Marbella and for our Fire Brigade", Muñoz stated, highlighting that the three professionals acted with absolute solidarity and professionalism. The mayor recalled that the journey was neither easy nor direct, and that their only priority was to serve the emergency.

Muñoz also wanted to emphasize the emotional toll of the mission. "Returning to normality after witnessing such dramatic situations is not easy," she said, committing to offer psychological support to the firefighters if they need it. For the residents of Marbella, knowing that their firefighters have been on the front line of an international disaster is a source of pride, but also concern for their well-being.

The return to routine

Now, the three firefighters are back to their daily work at the Marbella fire station. The experience, they say, has marked them. "We have seen things that are unforgettable", confesses Rubio. But they also take with them the satisfaction of having helped in one of the largest humanitarian crises of the year.

The Town Hall has announced that it will consider officially recognising their work, possibly with a special mention at the next council meeting. In the meantime, the firefighters rest and resume their daily lives, knowing that if a tragedy occurs again, they will be ready to respond once more.