“There is this moment when we enter classes abandoned during the cyclone. Everything remained in place. There was still the dictation of the day…” Lieutenant Quentin and Corporal Philippine (1) returned from Mayotte with the feeling of a duty accomplished. And above all the certainty of having been useful to the Mahorese populations affected by Cyclone Chido. They are part of a detachment of 38 rescuers from the fourth Civil Security Instruction and Intervention Unit (UIISC4) who left on December 18 alongside their counterparts from Nogent-le-Rotrou, to help to the population. They were back in Libourne this Wednesday January 22 after thirty-eight days of mission. The next generation, including 15 soldiers from Libourne, left for the archipelago.
The soldiers keep in mind the memory of an island ravaged by the cyclone. Roofs blown off, many buildings affected, vegetation chopped up, trees uprooted to the ground, when they did not fall on cars or homes. “We were welcomed into the Chirongui high school,” explains Captain André, at the head of the detachment. We spread throughout the south of the island. We have worked on covering homes, schools and other public buildings. We also helped open routes to access water resources, public services, relay antennas, etc. We also carried out water deliveries. »
Helping someone
The soldiers also participated in the removal of tree trunks from waterways blocked by trees. A mission that is anything but secondary. “This was to prevent too much water from rising in the event of heavy rain. And avoid overflows. » Tropical storm Dikeledi proved them right.
“We were called by the Mayotte firefighters for a person in respiratory distress”
Some operations were more difficult to carry out. Like this rescue carried out at three in the morning in difficult conditions. “We were called by the Mayotte firefighters for a person in respiratory distress in a place made difficult to access following the passage of the cyclone. We had to cut all the way, on the only access road, to reach the victim. And organize his stretcher several hundred meters and put him in the ambulance. »
-Lieutenant-Colonel Legrand was given a plaque topped with a sculpture of a turtle, symbolizing their mission in Mayotte.
Thierry DAVID / SO
First mission
The lieutenant colonel greeted his troops before their departure for rest. The opportunity to formalize the rise in rank of two of his men. “I hold on to these moments. For some members of the detachment, this was a first operational mission, directly overseas, and moreover dealing with the damage caused by a cyclone. » Lieutenant Quentin was making his first trip as a young officer. A remarkable moment. “It was an apocalyptic landscape. But this mission was rich in experiences. The population was happy to see us arrive. Some Mahorais even wanted to offer us food and drink. While they had difficulty accessing drinking water for themselves…”
(1) At the request of Civil Security, only first names are mentioned for reasons of anonymity.
