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By Euronews Romania
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The Russian drone that crashed into a residential building in Galați sparked widespread condemnation across Europe, as well as from the NATO alliance.
But also residents from the eastern Romanian city voiced growing concerns. As Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine in recent months, many fear that similar incidents could occur again in the future.
Vasile Opincă lives close to the building that was struck on Friday. He told Euronews that from the 10th floor of his apartment, he now regularly scans the sky and the surroundings out of fear for a new incident.
“For sure we are afraid,” he said. “I have nowhere to go except under the table”.
The 87-year-old is also concerned that, in the event of an emergency, he would not have enough food supplies to sustain himself until help arrives.
“Food that’s stored in the fridge is all that I have,” he told Euronews, but said that matters would become more complicated if a power outage were to occur.
Parents have also expressed concerns about how to protect their children in the event of a drone-related incident. Currently, schools offer drills on how to respond during earthquakes, but some parents say existing emergency preparedness measures should be broadened to address the growing threat posed by drones.
“These drone incidents are becoming increasingly more common,” Liviu Stoain, the father of a ten-year-old pupil told Euronews. “The school should also instruct the children to know what can happen”.
Stoian believes such training should not be limited to students. “The general population, in the first place here in Galați, should be trained very well”.
The drone had been part of an overnight attack on Ukraine and changed trajectory what led it to crash in Romania, a NATO member state. It crashed onto the roof of a building and sparked a fire. Two people were injured and residents were evacuated.
It is unclear what caused the drone to change its course, but the incident added to concerns that the war could spread across the alliance’s borders.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said he had spoken to Dan and expressed “absolute solidarity” with its ally.
“NATO stands ready to defend every inch of Allied territory. We will continue to enhance our readiness to deter and defend against any threat, including from drones,” he said in a post on X.
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