Five fire stations located in the Rhône and Isère departments of France have been targeted by thieves. According to information provided by the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing reports from Franceinfo, a series of thefts occurred throughout the current month, resulting in the loss of hydraulic cutters—essential tools for rescue operations.
These specialized devices play a critical role in extracting individuals trapped in vehicles during road traffic accidents. The total value of the stolen equipment is estimated to be in the thousands of euros. French law enforcement agencies have launched a large-scale investigation into the incidents.
The thefts come at a time when fire services in France are already under significant pressure. Due to extreme heatwaves and forest fires, it is reported that 117,000 hectares of land have burned across the country since the beginning of the year. Firefighters, who are struggling with increased workloads and a shortage of technical resources, are demanding more personnel and equipment. A protest action is planned by firefighters in Paris on September 29.
