Bus lift failure delays cross-border evacuation drill in Šiauliai

A malfunctioning wheelchair lift delayed a bus departure by 20 minutes during a joint Lithuania-Latvia evacuation exercise in Šiauliai on Tuesday, LRT reported. The drill’s second stage simulated the evacuation of 45 people from Šiauliai to Latvia because of unrest in the Baltic region.

Volunteers gathered at the sports gymnasium, where they registered and were given food before boarding a bus bound for Ķekava. The route included a stop at a checkpoint in Pakruojis. On November 5, Latvian citizens were transported from Daugavpils to Pasvalys as part of the exercise.

The lift intended to help a wheelchair user board the bus descended to the ground and became stuck. Staff had to operate a manual crank to get the passenger onto the bus, then struggled to fold the lift platform. Organisers said the exercise placed particular emphasis on people with disabilities, families with young children, older residents and other vulnerable groups.

The exercise involved Šiauliai city municipality staff, the Red Cross, the Food Bank and the sports gymnasium. Officials from the Šiauliai Fire and Rescue Board coordinated the operation.

Deputy head of the board Gražvydas Butkus said evacuation exercises had previously been held within Lithuania, but this was the first cross-border drill. The project is due to conclude in 2028. Organisers are assessing logistics, food provision, registration, reception and the distribution and accommodation of evacuees. Information gathered during the exercises will be used to prepare evacuation regulations.

Red Cross volunteer coordinator Elvinas Staškus said the organisation provided first aid, helped with registration and gave evacuees information and psychological support before accompanying them on their journey. Šiauliai municipality preparedness officer Paulius Stočkaus said the city had held similar exercises for three consecutive years, though earlier drills did not cross the state border.