ZAGREB, 27 Aug (Hina) - The World Rescue Challenge, a global championship in road rescue and first aid, will take place in Karlovac from 9 to 14 September, with over 900 competitors and guests from 25 countries expected to participate, the Croatian Firefighting Association (HVZ) announced.

At the 2025 World Rescue Challenge, a total of 72 rescue teams will demonstrate the best techniques and methods for saving victims, using state-of-the-art equipment and expertise.

This year, Croatia is represented in the Extrication Challenge by the Jastrebarsko Volunteer Fire Department (DVD Jastrebarsko), last year's winner of the Croatia Rescue Challenge, while in the Trauma Challenge, the country has two representatives – the Zagreb City Institute of Emergency Medicine and the Zagreb County Institute of Emergency Medicine.

The competition, organised by the World Rescue Organization (WRO), is being held in Croatia for the first time. The hosts are the City of Karlovac and the Karlovac Public Fire Brigade, with the Croatian government as the main sponsor and with support from the HVZ.

"It will be an opportunity to showcase Croatia and Karlovac on the global rescue map, as well as to strengthen international cooperation and the exchange of experience among firefighters, medical personnel and all services involved in saving lives," the HVZ said.

In addition to the Extrication Challenge and Trauma Challenge, the event will feature educational workshops, professional lectures, equipment demonstrations and a varied social programme. Special emphasis will be placed on unity, teamwork and knowledge sharing, as the ultimate goal of the gathering is to improve the effectiveness of saving human lives, the HVZ noted.