On the night of the 11th of July 2026, the Ohrid Red Cross Mountain Rescue Service was called to assist in the search for a missing elderly man. He had last been seen in the vicinity of Studenchishta Swamp, a wetland area located near the shore of Lake Ohrid.
Given the challenging conditions faced by the responders – including darkness, muddy terrain, and dense vegetation – the Ohrid Red Cross Mountain Rescue Service deployed a specialised unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly known as a drone, to support the search. This marked the first time the Service had used a drone in a search and rescue operation. The operation concluded later that same night, with the missing person located uninjured.
The drone used in the operation was a DJI Mavic 3T, equipped, among other features, with a thermal imaging camera. It was procured by the Ohrid Red Cross as part of a PONT-funded project, “Protection of cave ecosystems and endangered plant and animal species in the National Park Galicica from the negative effects of climate change“. Implemented between 2022 and 2025, the project was carried out in partnership with the Exploring Society “Ursus Speleos” and in cooperation with the Public Institution Galicica National Park.
The drone was procured to strengthen the local capacity to detect and respond to forest fires in Galicica National Park. Its capabilities also make it a valuable tool for search and rescue operations, particularly in challenging terrain.
Under the three-year follow-up project funded by PONT, “Protecting cave ecosystems from the impacts of climate change and establishing a sustainable disaster response system in Galicica National Park”, four people were trained to operate the drone. Shortly after the training, the Ohrid Red Cross Mountain Rescue Service was called to take part in the search operation at Studenchishta Swamp. One of the trained operators, a member of the Ohrid Red Cross Mountain Rescue Service, piloted the drone during the operation that night.
By: Red Cross
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