After fulfilling their mission to search for earthquake victims in Turkey, which experienced devastating earthquakes two weeks ago, 24 police officers from the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security arrived in Hanoi on Sunday.

The ministry held a ceremony to welcome them back and awarded certificates of merit to them after they were in Turkey for nine days. 

Colonel Nguyen Minh Khuong, deputy head of the Police Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue under the Ministry of Public Security, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that after the search and rescue mission in Turkey, Vietnamese people can get involved in any rescue work in the world.

“The efforts have been acknowledged and highly evaluated by the forces of Turkey, the U.S., and Pakistan," Col. Khuong said.

“Vietnamese rescuers did not fear any work and were willing to undertake missions anytime and in any weather condition in Turkey."

Vu Duy Hung, a member of the Vietnamese rescue team in Turkey, said the most unforgettable memory during the time in Turkey is when the Vietnamese rescue team detected a 17-year-old boy who was still alive after being trapped under rubble for six days.

“We were over the moon when the boy was saved. It is hard to describe our feeling at the time," Hung said.

“When participating in the rescue team, the other officials and I determined that we would face many difficulties, such as a long distance, cold weather, and possible aftershocks.

“However, we were not afraid of hardship. We worked day and night and encouraged each other to fulfill the mission.”

During the nine days in Turkey, the Vietnamese rescuers saved a 17-year-old boy and found the bodies of 14 victims.

Turkish people and international rescue forces also hailed the Vietnamese rescuers for their ability and working spirit.

On February 9, the Ministry of Public Security detached 24 officials to Turkey to help with rescue efforts following the devastating earthquakes 

In addition to supporting the search and rescue of victims, the team presented medicines and medical equipment to Adiyaman City, Turkey and instant noodles to Turkish military officers and residents.

Three days later, the Ministry of National Defense also deployed 76 soldiers to Turkey for the earthquake relief.

More than 46,000 people have been killed in the earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6 and the toll is expected to soar, Reuters reported.

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