search and rescue News

Families Pray for ‘Miracle’ With 159 Missing in Florida Condo Collapse

SURFSIDE, Fla. — Rescue workers scouring the debris of a collapsed condo building in a Miami suburb said they heard sounds in the rubble overnight, as officials on Friday raised the number of people unaccounted for to 159 and the …

Cuban Tanker En Route to Venezuela Reports Missing Sailor at Sea

A crew member aboard a Cuba-flagged oil tanker on its way from a Mexican shipyard to Venezuela was reported missing this week, according to a shipping report seen by Reuters, marking the second incident aboard the same vessel in about …

Indonesian Teams Find More Bodies From Quake That Killed 78

MAMUJU, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian rescuers on Sunday retrieved more bodies from the rubble of homes and buildings toppled by a strong earthquake, raising the death toll to 78, while military engineers managed to reopen ruptured roads to clear access …

3 Missing After Barge Crash on Mississippi River

LULING, La. — Three people were missing after two barge towing vessels collided Sunday on the Mississippi River in an accident that also may have released a small amount of toxic vapor into the air, the Coast Guard said. The …

New Technology Speeds Search and Rescue Operations in Alaska

New technology is reducing Alaska search and rescue operations from days to minutes. The Alaska Department of Public Safety’s aerial search teams are using a new $600,000 camera-and-mapping system with an infrared camera that picks up heat signatures from people …

Alaska City’s Search and Rescue Crew Sees Spike in Alcohol-Related Calls

Members of Bethel’s volunteer search and rescue organization are dealing with a spike in alcohol-related calls this winter, which is putting a strain on the group’s budget. The increase in calls comes during the southwest Alaska town’s first winter of …

Oregon County Adds ‘Snowbulance’ to Help Backcountry Patients

The Baker County Sheriff’s Office is adding another “snowbulance” to its search and rescue unit. It’s a rescue sled on skis that’s used to transport victims out of the wilderness. The Baker City Herald reports the snow ambulance will increase …

Mountain Rescues Hampered With Copter Contract Switch

Backcountry users will not have a helicopter to help them out of a jam in the Teton, Wyo., area for the next two weeks as agencies make the switch between summer and winter contracts. Tuesday is the last day of …