On 10 June, shortly before noon, a four-storey building undergoing demolition collapsed on Takarodó Street in Székesfehérvár, trapping one person beneath the debris. Fire and rescue services, the National Ambulance Service, and several specialised urban search and rescue teams worked together in a coordinated effort to reach the victim.

Following a highly complex technical rescue operation lasting several hours, the trapped person was successfully extricated from the rubble by the rescue teams and transferred to the care of the Hungarian National Ambulance Service.

Faculty members from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) also took part in the operation, providing engineering expertise to support the safe execution of the rescue and the technical decision-making process.

Dr. Attila Joó, Associate Professor at the Department of Structural Engineering, participated in the operation as a structural engineering expert of the HUNOR Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Team. Dr. Tamás Tuchband and Dr. Csaba Égető, faculty members of the Department of General and Higher Geodesy, were responsible for on-site surveying and monitoring tasks.

In rescue operations of this kind, the rapid assessment of damaged structures, continuous structural monitoring, and engineering decision support are of critical importance, as they contribute directly to the safety of both rescue personnel and those trapped in hazardous conditions.

We are proud that the expertise and dedication of our Faculty's staff contributed to the successful rescue operation. We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to all organisations and professionals involved for their outstanding commitment and cooperation.

Photos: Hungarian Disaster Management Directorate