MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian emergency services rescued more than 6,000 people in 2016, the Russian Emergency Ministry's press service said on Saturday.
"During this year search and rescue troops of the Russian Emergency Ministry carried out over 6650 search and rescue operations saving more than 6,200 people," the ministry's press service said.
The search and rescue service of the ministry established in 1992 celebrated its 24th anniversary, the press service added, saying that it employs more than 5,300 professional rescuers.
The search and rescue services protect towns and settlements as well as key sites from fire and provide assistance to individuals in trouble. The services include eight regional troops, 43 branch offices, including 10 lifeboat units and its own training facilities. Each unit has its own task dogs.
