Story By: Ernest Bio Bogore, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

A Red Cross vehicle used to drive around every day to help vulnerable people has been broken into by thieves apparently looking for face masks.

The incident took place on 12th April in the department of Haute Savoie in the eastern French region of Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes when the equipment in the van was reportedly stolen by thieves.

However, Red Cross spokeswoman Julie Legros believes the suspects were after face masks and gloves, and all that was in the van at the time were five boxes of hygiene kits, five tents (4.5 x 3 metres) and six camp beds.

She said: “The analysis is simple, the thugs were certainly looking for masks and gloves, equipment that is not stored in the vehicles.”

Local media said the damage and loss of equipment amounts to several thousand euros.

Legros called it “a lamentable act” that was “all the more deplorable because teams of the Haute-Savoie Red Cross are driving around every day to help vulnerable people, support our hospitals and assist in the community”.

According to reports, the vandalised van was used every day to supply different medical centres and intervention points.

The incident has been reported to the police who have opened an investigation, according to local media.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross has asked citizens to report any information they may have to the local authorities.

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