Upon receiving the mission to search for victims trapped in collapsed houses due to the earthquake in Bala Tidi, Zabu Thiri district, Naypyidaw, rescue teams of the Vietnam People's Army and the Ministry of Public Security swiftly conducted field surveys, assessed the situation and organized search operations.
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Vietnamese soldier and service dog search for the earthquake victims. |
A thirty-strong medical team is ready to provide first aid and emergency care for victims.
By the evening of the same day, through searches using service dogs and specialized equipment, rescue forces identified suspected locations of trapped victims in two collapsed houses. Although the operation was carried out urgently, it faced challenges due to nightfall and the lack of heavy machinery such as excavators and cranes.
Also on March 31, Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the General Staff’s Search and Rescue Department, Head of the Vietnam People's Army rescue delegation in Myanmar, handed over 40 tons of dry provisions to Myanmar authorities to support earthquake survivors.
During the brief conversation with Maj. Gen. Ty, Myanmar’s Minister of Hotels and Tourism, H.E. U Kyaw Soe Win, on behalf of the Myanmar government and people, expressed heartfelt gratitude for Vietnam’s support and concern after the disaster.
For his part, Gen. Ty affirmed that Vietnam's participation in earthquake disaster relief efforts demonstrated the country’s responsibility as an ASEAN member. The team promised to make every effort to carry out search operations as quickly as possible to help Myanmar minimize the losses caused by the earthquake.
Rescue efforts are still being carried out urgently, although the "72 golden hour" mark passed. By the end of March 30, the earthquake had caused severe loss of lives and property, with over 1,700 dead, 3,400 injured, and more than 300 missing.
On March 31, Myanmar's military leadership declared a week-long national mourning period with flags to be flown at half-mast from March 31 to April 6 in remembrance of the victims.
By Vu Hung (from Naypyidaw, Myanmar)
Translated by Khanh Huyen