This was an unscheduled task of the mission. However, in the spirit of "not afraid of difficulties and hardships, ready to support," the Vietnamese SAR mission quickly embarked on the duty.
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Asli shakes hand with each member of the SAR mission of the Vietnam People's Army as thanks for their help. |
The family of Asli Sahib, living on Turunclu street in Antakya, the capital of Hatay province was safely evacuated to a disaster relief center in Antakya when the devastating earthquake occurred. However, the only thing they could bring along was car keys. All valuable property, including a set of jewelry which holds great spiritual significance to the family, was buried in the debris.
The earthquake cracked the outside of the six-story building where Asli's family lived. The concrete ceiling collapsed and blocked the door. For the past few days, Asli has often returned to find and asked some rescuers for help, but what she received was their head shakes because they did not bring necessary equipment.
Fortunately, on February 17, she saw the Vietnam People's Army (VPA)’s SAR mission undertaking their rescue mission on Turunclu street. Realizing that they brought modern equipment, Asli believed that they could help her break down the door to enter the family's apartment.
On listening to Asli's report of the incident and verifying the information she provided, the Vietnam People's Army’s rescue mission did not hesitate to give assistance.
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Asli (third from the right) and Vietnamese rescuers and others |
Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Search and Rescue Department under the General Staff and Head of the VPA’s SAR mission to Turkey, affirmed that helping Turkish people was what the VPA was always ready to do.
The mission immediately started their unscheduled duty. Non-commissioned Senior Captain Do Manh Ha and an Asli’s friend went to check the real situation. As soon as they realized that breaking the door could be done, Vietnamese engineers used large hammers and hydraulic pliers to break the door. Just 15 minutes later, the apartment with an iron door and a wooden door was opened in Asli's joy. Ha said that breaking the door must be very careful because a strong impact could cause the building to collapse at any time.
Holding the memorabilia that she considered the most precious thing, Asli couldn't hold back her tears. She shook hands tightly with each member of the mission and repeatedly said thank you. The Turkish citizen held that she was lucky to have met the Vietnam People’s Army’s troops. For her, these were rare moments of happiness since the earthquake happened.
For those like Asli, who have faced so many losses of both people and property, the support of the Vietnamese friends has become a ray of sunshine that helps warm their hearts. Asli will never forget the Vietnamese troops who, with no regard for danger, gave her timely, meaningful assistance in such difficult time.
As of the evening of February 17 (Vietnam time), the SAR mission of the Vietnam People’s Army helped the Turkish side locate 12 positions of victims, including two with signs of life. On February 17, the mission found two dead bodies at a location on Turunclu street.
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Vietnamese military rescuers use hydraulic pliers to clear the way to reach the position of two dead bodies located on February 17. |
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Reported by Van Hieu from Hatay, Turkey
Translated by Mai Huong