Firefighters rescue 12 pigs from collapsed stable floor in Belgium

In Bulskamp, Belgium, a dramatic rescue operation unfolded this morning as firefighters successfully saved 12 pigs trapped in a manure cellar. The incident occurred when the floor of their stable collapsed, plunging the animals into the deep pit.

The Veurne fire department and the Zone Westhoek animal rescue team responded to the emergency. Upon arrival, they found the pigs struggling in the cellar, which was approximately 1.5 meters deep and one-third full of manure. The confined space within the stable prevented the use of a crane or winch for the rescue.

Firefighters had to resort to manual labor, enlisting additional personnel to carefully lift each pig, weighing around 100 kilograms, out of the cellar using ropes and harnesses. The entire operation, including the necessary cleanup of the rescue team's gear, took over two hours to complete.

Fortunately, all 12 pigs were brought to safety and survived the harrowing experience. The successful rescue highlights the dedication and resourcefulness of the emergency services in handling animal welfare situations.