Man Who Saved 100 Riverside Attack Victims Using WhatsApp

A Red Cross volunteer has come out to explain how he used the popular WhatsApp messaging service to save over 100 lives during the 14 Riverside attack. 

Philip Ogola, a Red Cross volunteer ingeniously created a WhatsApp group to coordinate rescue efforts between trapped victims and authorities.

Because phones were the only mode of communication for Dusit D2 attack victims, it meant life or death for them.

On receiving distress messages from trapped victims, Ogola added the numbers to a Whatsapp Group. 

Those trapped were asked to describe their locations in detail, which were relayed to rescuers. 

With time Ogola added police officers to the group to directly communicate with the victims. 

It also became necessary to include a doctor who directed those who had suffered injuries on what to do before help arrived. 

Occasionally the victims would report gunshots and explosions but they would be reassured by the rescuers. 

“Recce is combing the building floor by floor, they have your location, kindly be patient help is on the way,” one member of the rescue team posted. 

This team was able to located the exact location of all victims who were regularly added to the group.

The trend continued until all the victims were rescued from the building before the Recce Squad staged a final onslaught killing all the attackers. 

 

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