SASMA Portal 2010
Medical evacuation from Angola - International SOS
- International SOS
International SOS Johannesburg coordinates the medical evacuation of a 25 year old
Togolese football player from Cabinda in Angola following a terrorist attack on the
Togo team bus on the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The African Cup of Nations is Africa’s most prominent football event and although the
continent generally lacks the quality infrastructure and playing facilities of the more
developed nations, the African Cup of Nations is renowned for producing quality football. 16
teams were due to participate in the 2010 African Cup of Nations hosted by Angola from 1031January, when tragedy struck the Togolese soccer team.
Whilst the political situation in Angola has stabilised after years of civil war, the actions of
guerrilla movements fighting for the independence of the northern exclave of Cabinda is still
one of the country’s major problems. Terrorist activity in Cabinda means that the risks
associated with travel to the north-east of the region are rated as HIGH, in comparison with
Angola's MEDIUM overall travel risk rating.
On 8 January, the Togo national team were attacked by terrorist gunmen wielding AK47s as
they entered the Angolan exclave province of Cabinda from the DRC.
The team had just completed border checks when the firing started, despite the presence of
two police escort vehicles.
The International SOS Alarm Centre in Johannesburg coordinated the evacuation of the 25
year old Togolese assistant goalkeeper.
SASMA EUROPE Sebastian Błażkiewicz
ul. Witkiewicza 14, 03-305 Warsaw, Poland
www.sas-ma.org | [email protected] | NIP /Tax Identifiaction Number/: 6342401082
Despite the challenges presented by this high profile incident – unstable political
environment, poor telecommunications infrastructure, lack of medical information and
language barriers – the International SOS team worked tirelessly to ensure that the young
football player reached excellent medical care in Johannesburg. Our strength lies in our local
knowledge, ability to mobilise quickly and dedicated teamwork which is clearly demonstrated
in the events of 8 and 9 January 2010.
On 8 January 2010 at 22h00 West Africa Time, the Johannesburg Alarm Centre receives a
call from the International SOS General Manager in Angola, Mario Pone to alert them of a
possible evacuation.
At this point, only limited information is available about an attack on the Togolese football
team in Cabinda. The patients have been admitted to a hospital in Cabinda.
At 22h30, Mario confirms that there are two patients needing evacuation as a result of
gunshot wounds, however the names of the patients and extent of their injuries are unknown.
The regional aviation desk is aware that the airport in Cabinda operates only during daylight
hours. It will be possible to reach Cabinda just after sunrise if the air ambulances depart at
00h30. The International SOS team is in a race against time to get the necessary information
from Cabinda to reach the patients as soon as possible.
SASMA EUROPE Sebastian Błażkiewicz
ul. Witkiewicza 14, 03-305 Warsaw, Poland
www.sas-ma.org | [email protected] | NIP /Tax Identifiaction Number/: 6342401082
Dr. Emily Bezuidenhout makes contact with an Angolan doctor at 22h45 – a local cardiologist
who, despite not being involved with the treatment of the patients, is able to confirm that both
patients are critically injured. It appears that the one patient has sustained injuries to his lower
abdomen and the other patient has a bullet lodged in his spine.
During the next two hours, Dr. Bezuidenhout continues to contact the medical facility in order
to speak to the treating medical doctors. Until there is more information available about the
patients, their extent of their injuries and treatment as well as consent to move the patients, the
air ambulances cannot be activated as this information is a requirement in order for Angolan
landing permits to be issued.
SASMA EUROPE Sebastian Błażkiewicz
ul. Witkiewicza 14, 03-305 Warsaw, Poland
www.sas-ma.org | [email protected] | NIP /Tax Identifiaction Number/: 6342401082
At 01h00, Dr. Bezuidenhout reaches the treating doctor who is French speaking. With
language assistance from the International SOS Paris Alarm Centre, the names of the patients
are obtained before the line is disconnected.
After multiple failed attempts to reconnect, Dr. Bezuidenhout manages to reach a different
doctor in Cabinda at 02h00 who is finally able to provide information about the patients and
gives the consent to move them. A journalist travelling with the Togo national team has been
wounded in the lower abdomen with significant internal injuries and is in an unstable
condition. One of the players – believed to be the team’s substitute goalkeeper had suffered an
apparent spinal injury.
The receiving hospital in Johannesburg, a well known trauma facility, is informed of the
imminent admission of patients and guarantee of payment is arranged.
Sadly, before the arrival of the first air ambulance one of the patients dies as result of his
injuries. The air ambulance reaches Cabinda airport at 8h30 local time. The medical escorts
are transported to the treating facility where they stabilised the remaining critically ill team
member and transport him back to Johannesburg.
Three people died and nine were injured during the attack and Togo withdrew from the
tournament. Despite dismissals from Danny Jordaan, organiser of the upcoming 2010 FIFA
World Cup, this incident has cast a dark shadow over the event in Angola and highlights the
security risks and healthcare limitations of the African continent. With the 2010 Soccer World
Cup due to take place in South Africa in only a few months, International SOS is reiterating
that pre-planning and partnerships with providers who have the knowledge and capability to
respond in the unique African environment, is essential.
Comments
on
crime
in
Angola:
Crime represents a significant risk to business travellers in Luanda, though rates remain lower
than in other major African cities, including Lagos (Nigeria) and Johannesburg (South
Africa). The most common forms of crime are mugging, carjacking, bagsnatching,
pickpocketing
and
armed
hold-ups.
There has been a notable increase in crime against expatriates since 2006, particularly assaults
and muggings, but violent crime is mainly directed at locals. However, a Portuguese
SASMA EUROPE Sebastian Błażkiewicz
ul. Witkiewicza 14, 03-305 Warsaw, Poland
www.sas-ma.org | [email protected] | NIP /Tax Identifiaction Number/: 6342401082
expatriate was killed in July 2009 in an attempted robbery in Viana. There have also been
reports of an increase in crime against Chinese workers in Luanda in the latter part of 2009,
especially
in
the
Benfica
and
Viana
districts.
Crime levels are subject to seasonal variations and crime against expatriates is likely to
increase during election periods, particularly if the opposition engages in antiforeigner
campaign
rhetoric.
Visit the members' only section on our website www.internationalsos.com for more
information about Angola.
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SASMA EUROPE Sebastian Błażkiewicz
ul. Witkiewicza 14, 03-305 Warsaw, Poland
www.sas-ma.org | [email protected] | NIP /Tax Identifiaction Number/: 6342401082