News

Manchester firefighters fly to Morocco to join earthquake search and rescue missions

True local heroes.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 13th September 2023

Five local firefighters have flown to Morocco to join national search and rescue efforts following a devastating earthquake. 

After a shocking 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit the African country on 8 September, the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue (GMFRS) crew members flew out to Marrakech on Sunday evening (10 September) to form part of the UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) team carrying out vital search and rescue efforts.

The UKISAR is made up of 60 operational crew members from 14 fire and rescue services, and has been deployed following a request for support from the Moroccan government.

The GMFRS firefighters consists of Station Manager Martin Foran, who is acting as Operations Commander – and who also travelled to the Turkey-Syria border earlier this year to support the UKISAR search and rescue operation following the earthquake there – and is joined by Watch Manager Gavin Kearsley from Ashton Technical Response Unit, who will be a crew leader.

Watch Managers John Hughes and Simon Cording from Leigh TRU are also on the team in Morocco, as is Crew Manager Ross Strother from GMFRS’s Technical Training team – with all three acting as technicians.  

ADVERTISEMENT

The Morocco team are also being supported back here in Greater Manchester by Watch Manager Mike Hirst – who is coordinating the GMFRS response.

GMFRS says it’s “pleased” to be able to offer its support to Morocco at a time of need.

ADVERTISEMENT
The UK International Search and Rescue team on the ground in Morocco / Credit:
FCDO
(via Twitter)

Speaking as the Greater Manchester team flew out to Marrakech, Barry Moore – who is the Assistant Chief Fire Officer at GMFRS – said: “GMFRS is pleased to be supporting the national search and rescue operation in Morocco, and we send our thoughts to the people of Morocco and everyone affected by this devastating event.  

“Our team of five highly skilled search and rescue technicians have safely arrived in Marrakesh where they have set up a base of operations.

Read more:

“We expect to hear more from the team in the coming days, but we are grateful to them and to their families.”

Featured Image – GMFRS

News

Spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display confirmed for Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Spectacular New Year's Eve firework display confirmed for Manchester

Manchester will celebrate New Year’s Eve with a spectacular FREE fireworks display, the council has confirmed.

This year, the dazzling display to ring in the new year will be set off from the roof of the city’s landmark Central Library building.

Mancs will be able to gather in St Peter’s Square as the city waves goodbye to 2024 and welcomes a new year.

The family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration has never taken place at St Peter’s Square before, nor has the iconic Manchester Central library hosted any sort of fireworks display.

The fireworks spectacular and New Year countdown will take place on Tuesday 31 December between 10pm and 12.30am, hosted by local radio presenter and DJ Joe McGrath.

With a rough capacity of 20,000 people, there’ll be a festive atmosphere in the city centre – but Manchester City Council has stressed that alcohol is not permitted at the New Year’s Eve fireworks event.

Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas and New Year spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “If there’s something we do well in Manchester, it’s getting together for a big celebration – and there’s no better time for a big do than New Year’s Eve.

“This is the time to remember the year we’ve just had and to look ahead to the new one and all it may bring, surrounded by the people we love.

“Mancunians of all ages love a party, and this New Year’s Eve is going to be fantastic – a chance to dance the night away, with one of the biggest fireworks displays in the region for everyone to enjoy.

“All you need is your dancing shoes, party spirit and your nearest and dearest. Grab hold of those and we can’t wait to see you in St Peter’s Square for the last party of 2024.”

Manchester New Year's Eve fireworks
Spectacular New Year’s Eve firework display confirmed for Manchester. Credit: Unsplash, designecologist

There are a few things you need to know ahead of the event – attendees are asked to limit bag sizes to no larger than A4 in size, with bag searches in operation at the entrances.

It will be a standing room only event though there’ll be a managed designated accessible viewing area located on the Metrolink tram platform closest to Central Library, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Portaloos, public toilets until 1am, and hot drinks and food will all be available on site.

Event staff will make sure St Peter’s Square is cleared promptly after the event and once the fireworks are over to minimise disruption to local residents.

Councillor Pat Karney added: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy New Year’s Eve, including the growing number of local residents who live in town.

“I will therefore be working closely with local councillors and others to ensure that we minimise any nuisance for city centre residents.”

Important road closures and event information for the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Manchester

A number of temporary but necessary traffic management measures will be put in place in the run-up to and on the day itself so the event can go ahead.

Road closures – 31 December 2024 

7.30pm–2am

  • Peter Street westbound (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
  • Peter Street eastbound (Deansgate to Lower Mosley Street)
  • Oxford Street (Peter Street to Portland Street)
  • George Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
  • St James Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
  • Bale Street (Lower Mosley Street to Hall Street)
  • Hall Street (Bale Street to Oxford Street)

9pm–2am

ADVERTISEMENT
  • Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
  • Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
  • Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)

Parking suspensions from 8am on 29 December until 6am on 2 January

  • Peter Street (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)

Parking suspensions from 6pm on 30 December until 6am on 1 January

  • Oxford Street (Lower Mosley Street to Portland Street)
  • Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
  • Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
  • George Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street)
  • Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)
  • Museum Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
  • Southmill (Windmill Street to Bootle Street)

Accessible parking

  • Unreserved accessible event parking is available on Mount Street.

Read more

Featured image: Unsplash, Chris Curry

News

Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree

A man has been charged for a series of burglaries in Wigan – one of which saw him nick the ingredients for a Christmas dinner.

Gary Marsh of Heath Street in Golborne had reportedly taken a number of festive food items from a freezer at an address.

In the burglary on 7 December, the 38-year-old took items including a frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets and a handful of Christmas appetisers.

Mr Walsh also made off with a pack of prawns, spring rolls and chicken satay skewers.

Police have said he has been charged for stealing ‘a Christmas dinner worth of goods’.

He’s been charged with six counts of burglary and one vehicle interference and will appear at Manchester Magistrates Court today.

Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree
Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

GMP said in a statement today: “One frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets and a handful of Christmas appetisers.

“Gary Marsh 16/05/1986 of Heath Street, Golborne, in Wigan, was charged on Wednesday 18 December with six counts of burglary and one vehicle interference.

“On 7 December 2024, the following items were reportedly taken from the freezer in the basement of an address: a frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets, a pack of prawns, spring rolls and chicken satay skewers.”

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

More News

Sir Jim Ratcliffe increases Manchester United shares

News

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has increased his stake in Manchester United

Christmas

Record 29 million people expected to drive home for Christmas this year

News

A third of Brits want police to immediately ban drink drivers at the roadside

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches