Rescuers help two people out of forest on Saturday

Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) assisted two people on Saturday, September 12, who were unable to make their own way out of a forest. The service confirmed the incident to the LETA news agency, though further details — the exact location, the time of the call, or the reason the two ended up in difficulty — were not disclosed.

A recurring type of call

Search-and-rescue operations in forested areas are a fairly common part of VUGD's work, particularly during the mushroom- and berry-picking season, when people head into nature often without adequate preparation. Even experienced hikers can lose their bearings in unfamiliar terrain or when weather conditions change quickly.

Safety advice

Rescue services routinely remind the public of basic precautions before heading into forests: letting relatives know the planned route and expected return time, carrying a charged phone, and using navigation tools or a compass. If someone does get lost, it is recommended to call emergency services immediately rather than trying to find a way out alone, which can prolong the time spent in an unsafe situation.

The information about the incident was distributed by the LETA news agency, citing details provided by VUGD.