Sleepless night in Playa Grande

The operation began on the morning of July 3 (local time), as the scorching sun beat down on piles of collapsed concrete. Amid the roar of heavy machinery, thick clouds of dust, and the stench of decomposing bodies, the Vietnam People's Army (VPA)'s personnel, working alongside Venezuelan rescue forces, detected what appeared to be signs of life using specialized search equipment. 

The Vietnamese team finding a way to open an access route to the location where possible signs of life were detected

The truth is that even in the darkest of disasters, miracles, though rare, can still happen. During Venezuela’s catastrophic earthquake, some victims who remained trapped for days beneath tons of rubble, with no food, no water, and barely any oxygen, were rescued alive. In the face of overwhelming loss, even the faintest indication of life offered a glimmer of hope to Venezuelan families anxiously awaiting news of loved ones who disappeared without a trace. Understanding their anguish, the VPA’s personnel resolved from the outset to search for earthquake victims in Venezuela with the same dedication they would show in searching for their own relatives and fellow citizens.

However, the distance between detecting a possible sign of life and accurately locating, reaching, and rescuing a survivor, if one still existed, was an extraordinarily dangerous journey. The collapsed structure was highly unstable, and aftershocks remained a constant threat. Without hesitation, the Vietnamese and Venezuelan teams launched a race against time. 

Working in a confined, sweltering space, sweat soaked through their uniforms and streamed down their sunburned faces. Throughout the day, the Vietnamese soldiers worked tirelessly without a single break, taking turns drilling, cutting, digging, and clearing debris in an effort to open a path toward the suspected location. 

"Further uphold the VPA's tradition of 'Determination to Fight, Determination to Win,' as encouraged by General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of National Defense, in his letter of commendation. Tonight, we will continue our mission throughout the night, working alongside our Venezuelan peers with the determination to find signs of life, if any, beneath the rubble," Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Department of Search and Rescue under the General Staff, instructed the Vietnamese contingent participating in the earthquake relief mission in Venezuela on the afternoon of July 3 (local time).

Nayade Lockiby Belmonte, Commander of the Venezuelan Militia Force, was present at the disaster site to monitor the overnight search operation on July 3 (local time).

To maintain the pace of operations, the Vietnamese contingent was divided into rotating teams. One group would briefly return to the tents for dinner while another continued working. Accustomed to harsh field conditions, the soldiers finished their simple meals in just a few minutes beside the collapsed buildings. As soon as one team put down their chopsticks, they immediately returned to relieve their comrades. Among teammates, a pat on the shoulder or an encouraging glance was enough to signal that every second mattered. 

The clock struck 11 p.m., then midnight, and eventually 1 a.m. No one considered taking a break. The eyes of the Vietnamese rescue personnel remained fixed with unwavering determination.

"Thank you, Vietnam, for coming to help Venezuela. We deeply appreciate everything you have done. We stand ready to cooperate closely and facilitate your mission in every possible way," said Nayade Lockiby Belmonte, Commander of the Venezuelan Militia Force, who was present at the scene throughout the overnight operation on July 3 (local time). 

After more than a dozen hours of relentless effort, the Vietnamese team finally reached the suspected location. Every corner of the area was carefully examined, but no trace of a survivor was found. No miracle emerged. 

As the Vietnamese soldiers stood in silence, many Venezuelan residents who waited patiently at the site throughout the night shouted words of encouragement: "You did an excellent job. Thank you very much."

Informing victims' family members of the search results in the early hours of July 4 (local time)

Although they could not bring about a miracle, the VPA delivered something equally precious. That was unwavering dedication, compassion without borders, and a dependable source of support for friends in their darkest hour. 

The Vietnamese soldiers left the disaster site and returned to their base after 2 a.m. Exhausted after an entire day of operations, they rewarded themselves with "one extra hour of sleep," returning to the search site at 7 a.m. instead of their usual 6 a.m. to continue searching for those still trapped beneath the rubble.

By Hoang Vu (from La Guaira, Venezuela)

Translated by Tran Hoai