Civilian drones - obstacles in the rescue sky
In Texas, USA, after severe flooding left at least 69 people dead and dozens missing, rescuers faced an unexpected problem: civilian drones flying rampantly in the disaster area.
A search and rescue team combs the Guadalupe River in central Texas, US. (Source: Getty Images)
“These personal drones pose a danger to rescue aircraft, which in turn poses a danger to the entire operation,” Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said at a press conference on July 6.
The Kerrville Police Department also issued an emergency notice, asking residents not to operate drones in the no-fly zone in Kerr County, where search and rescue operations are taking place.
Meanwhile, the Texas National Guard deployed an MQ-9 Reaper military drone to help assess the damage. “This is our eye in the sky,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Suelzer.
Drones join firefighting in the US. (Source: Getty Images)
A similar situation occurred in Los Angeles last January, when a series of wildfires broke out, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate.
While two Super Scooper aircraft were on a mission to drop water on the fire, an illegal civilian drone collided with one of the two, forcing it to stop operating.
“Operating a drone in a fire zone is a federal crime, punishable by a fine of up to $75,000 or 12 months in prison , ” the Los Angeles Fire Department warns.
After the incident, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) opened an investigation and affirmed: "Flying drones near forest fires is dangerous and can cause human casualties."
The drone operator later pleaded guilty, agreed to pay full restitution to the Quebec government – which provided the aircraft – and perform 150 hours of community service.
During Hurricane Helene, the FAA issued temporary flight restrictions in many affected areas. The US Department of Transportation also urged people not to use drones near rescue operations.
“Interfering with emergency response operations will seriously impact ground search and rescue efforts ,” the FAA warned.
Hurricane Helene hit several states, including North Carolina, in 2024. (Source: Getty Images)
However, after backlash from the online community, the FAA clarified that they do not prohibit civilian drones from assisting with rescue efforts, but all operations must be coordinated with rescue forces and law enforcement agencies on the scene.
There is no denying that drones are powerful tools in natural disasters if used properly. They help observe from above, access isolated areas, assist in searching for missing people with infrared cameras, assess damage quickly, and save costs.
However, if abused or used without control, drones can become dangerous "obstacles", disrupting rescue operations and even causing serious consequences.
Minh Hoan
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/may-bay-khong-nguoi-lai-dan-dung-gay-can-tro-cuu-ho-loi-bat-cap-hai-ar952626.html
Comment (0)