As the weather warms on Irkutsk reservoirs, the ice thins quickly, but local fishermen still go out on it despite rescuers warnings. Ministry of Emergency Situations and civil defense staff can only patrol, hand out leaflets and explain what to do if someone falls through the ice, since they have no right to force people off the ice. In the coming days rescuers will inspect other dangerous places too, first of all the Irkutsk reservoir.
As every year, a busy season is beginning for EMERCOM employees: the weather is warming up, and the thickness of the ice on Irkutsk’s bodies of water is decreasing day by day.However, local fishermen do not pay much attention to the rescuers; they are absolutely confident in their safety.
All the specialists of Civil Defense and Emergency Situations can do is warn the fishermen about the danger. They do not have the authority to force them to leave the ice. Just in case, they hand out leaflets on how to save yourself if you start to drown, and how to provide first aid to the victim. In another Irkutsk settlement, Bokovo, fishermen are catching fish in open leads amid the Angara ice ridges.
That going out onto the ice is dangerous is clear even without a warning sign. But for fishermen, their love of fish soup and their own hobby seems to be more valuable than life.
In the coming days, rescuers will go on patrols to other “hot spots” in the city. First of all, to the Irkutsk Reservoir.