Over the weekend in Latvia, rescuers recovered the bodies of three individuals from various water bodies, including two who had fallen through ice. The incidents prompted responses from the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD), highlighting the dangers associated with ice-covered water bodies during winter. The events unfolded in various locations, including Riga and Madona, where five individuals fell onto the ice, resulting in emergency interventions.

In one notable incident, firefighters responded to a call in Riga on Saturday night, rescuing a person who had fallen through the ice and bringing him safely to shore for medical attention. In contrast, tragic outcomes were reported as another person was found dead after falling through the ice in a reservoir in Madona. Emergency responders managed to save two of the individuals who also found themselves in precarious positions on the ice.

As the weekend progressed, additional reports came in with similar situations as rescuers retrieved another deceased individual from the Daugava River and received calls about individuals who had fallen through the ice elsewhere in the region, including Ādaži. The State Fire and Rescue Service has reiterated warnings to the public regarding the perils of venturing onto ice-covered waters, especially when conditions may be unsafe, reflecting a season of heightened vigilance as ice forms on lakes and rivers across the country.