Special report from Radio Dunav
The president of the self-proclaimed microstate “Liberland”, Vit Jedlička, accompanied by his associates, last weekend in Apatin organized a reception for firefighters and divers, to whom he gave a symbolic awarding of certificates of appreciation for their contribution to the rescue of the vessel “Freedom”. days burnt in a fire.
The damage to the ship is estimated at 100,000 euros, and it was saved from certain sinking by fire brigades from Apatin, Kupusina, Sombor and one from the territory of the municipality of Odzaci. Extinguishing was difficult due to the inaccessibility of the terrain, so the teams on land were joined by a unit of the Apatin Society for Underwater Activities, which extinguished the fire from the boats. Due to the danger of overturning, the inside of the hull was eventually extinguished with a special foam.
Jedlička thanked the firefighters for their quick response, as well as the divers who appeared in the first hours of the battle in rescuing the ship. – “My associates told me with how much attention and dedication everyone approached the extinguishing. That is why we pay tribute to these units, not only because of last week’s shutdown, but because of everything they do every day in their environment to preserve human lives and protect property,” said Jedlička.
In the manner of a true statesman, he awarded the participants in the action the highest recognitions of the self-proclaimed state “Liberland” – Medals of Honor and Recognitions for Special Merits.
On that occasion, the firefighting units of Apatin, Sombor and Kupusina, the Apatin Association for Underwater Activities, as well as deserving individuals, representatives of these services, Ferenc Hegediš, Nikola Mirić, Marko Popović and Sasa Vujović, were awarded medals.
Sombor firefighters Dalibor Mrdjenovic, Sasa Gligorevic, Misa Radic and Kupusinac Janos Sidor also received the medal of honor.
Recognitions for special merits were given to Miroslav and Branislav Basta, Kornel Selik, Zoran Grahovac, Branko Kartalija, Nikola Mergl, Branko Pajić, Karol Sidor, Robert Rekeća, Istvan Marašek, Istvan Kulić, Gužvanj Nandor, Stefan Roža.
In addition to the medal of the part, members of the Apatin Society for Underwater Activities Milorad Bujić, Igor Pinćir, Neven Benić, Đerđ Deneš, Veljko Cvetićanin and Nebojša Medić were also awarded diplomas.
The award ceremony was held, where else but on a ship, on the Danube, and the winners expressed their gratitude to Jedlički with a smile for the attention he showed them in this way. – In this way, Mr. Jedlička wanted us to feel good and proud of the work we do every day, is one of the comments of the winners.
In addition to the recognition, the fire brigade and the Society for Underwater Activities can expect material assistance from the company “Liberland” in the coming period. Socializing on board was also an opportunity to present their activities and equipment needs in performing tasks.