Vietnamese rescuers search Myanmar quake zone as if for their own loved ones: official

The Vietnamese rescue team safely arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi from Myanmar after more than a week of carrying out their search and rescue operations there.

At the airport, Major General Ty, deputy head of the Search and Rescue Department under the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, shared about the team's mission in Myanmar.

He informed that the search and rescue operations in Myanmar were far more difficult and dangerous than a similar mission carried out in Turkey in February 2023.

The Vietnamese team worked in harsh weather conditions, including extreme heat and high temperatures.

Many of the victims' bodies buried under the rubble had begun to decompose, directly affecting the health of Vietnamese soldiers.

Moreover, aftershocks continued to occur, posing an ongoing risk of further collapses, making the situation even more perilous, he said.

Ty added that the lack of heavy-duty specialized equipment, such as excavators and bulldozers, made the search and rescue even more challenging.

However, despite these difficulties, the team maintained a strong sense of duty, persevering with rudimentary tools and even working by hand to free the victims from the rubble.

Miracle amidst disaster

Ty was emotional as he recalled one of the most unforgettable moments of the mission in Myanmar, which was the search at the Oattara Thiri private hospital in Naypyidaw, the country's capital.

The team received information that 17 people were missing, and despite numerous obstacles, the Vietnamese soldiers recovered all 17 bodies from the debris.

"When the last body was retrieved, many people, especially the families of the victims, broke into tears and expressed their gratitude," he recalled.

"Previously, other rescue teams had tried but failed to reach the site and recover the bodies.

"What we achieved can be considered a miracle amidst the devastation, and it earned the admiration and respect of international rescue teams."

Upon their return to Vietnam, the team quickly turned back to their units, ready for the next missions.

The Ministry of National Defense is expected to hold a ceremony on Wednesday to honor the Vietnamese rescue team for their support in Myanmar.

Earlier, the ministry dispatched 80 personnel, along with essential equipment, supplies, medications, six service dogs, and relief materials to Myanmar to support earthquake relief efforts.

The public security ministry also sent 26 firefighters and rescue officers, accompanied by service dogs, to participate in the humanitarian mission.

As of 5:30 pm on April 6, the Vietnamese rescuers had recovered 28 bodies and saved one individual from the rubble caused by the magnitude-7.7 earthquake that struck on March 28.

The death toll from the powerful quake rose to 3,471, state media reported on Sunday, with 4,671 people injured and another 214 still missing.