TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) on Monday gave the city’s Special Search and Rescue Team two days of leave after it returned from flood relief operations in Hualien County.

The team was dispatched on Wednesday after the overflow from Mataian barrier lake caused major flooding in Guangfu Township, according to the Kaohsiung City Government. The 38-member crew, joined by volunteer firefighters, veterinarians, a physician, and nurses, arrived in Hualien early on Thursday.

While in Guangfu, the team searched 32 sites, rescuing five people and four pets, and provided medical care to 36 residents. Members also helped arrange shelter for 33 people. The team was equipped with five rescue dogs, 17 vehicles, eight boats, and two drones, the Kaohsiung Fire Bureau said.

Chen met with the returning personnel at the Kaohsiung rescue training center and praised their work. City officials said the team’s performance reflected Kaohsiung’s commitment to strengthening disaster response.