Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Search and Rescue Department under the General Staff and head of the Vietnamese rescue contingent in Myanmar, affirmed that in an interview given to the People’s Army Newspaper’s reporter ahead of the delegation’s return to the home country after concluding their rescue missions in Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar.
Gen. Ty reviewed the rescue efforts of the 80-strong contingent since their deployment on March 30. After landing in Yangon Airport, the rescue forces were driven over 500km through night to the capital city to start their work the next morning.
They used service dogs and specialized equipment to search for victims at Bala Tidi area, Ottara Thiri Hospital and Aye Chan Thar Hotel. They spotted 32 places with trapped victims and directly engaged in the search in 20 places, pulling out 21 bodies.
Attentively, they teamed up with their peers from Myanmar and Turkey to rescue a 26-year-old youngster alive from the rubble of the hotel. Also at the hotel, they found many assets and equipment, worth hundreds of thousands of USD, and handed over them to the hospital and local people.
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Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Search and Rescue Department under the General Staff |
Despite harsh weather conditions with temperature over 40 degree Celsius, pollution due to badly decomposed bodies and potential dangers at collapsed structures, Vietnamese rescuers kept searching in these complicated and dangerous places where some foreign rescue teams could not be able to do.
The Head of the Fire Services Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs of Myanmar expressed respect for the Vietnamese rescuers’ outcomes and informed that Vietnamese contingent was the foreign one retrieving the most bodies and conducting the most meaningful activities in Naypyidaw.
The Vietnamese rescuers handed over 40 tons of dry rations, tents (excluding aid supplies to be sent soon under the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense’s recent decision), raised USD 5,000 to support victims’ families, and provided free health check-ups and medicines for over 200 local people.
While in Myanmar, the delegation also effectively conducted diplomacy activities and shared experience with their peers from Myanmar, Turkey, and UAE.
Gen. Ty affirmed that the VPA’s sending its rescue forces to help Myanmar contributed to spreading the noble international spirit, the good traditions of Vietnam and the good qualities of Uncle Ho’s soldiers. It was also significant to the Vietnam-Myanmar relations since it helped the country and its people in the most difficult time.
According to Gen. Ty, Vietnamese rescuers’ professionalism, expertise, bravery, intelligence and creativity were highly valued by the host and foreign peers. Local people welcomed them, gave them drink and deep thanks. He added that experience gained during this time should be reviewed and collected as a reference for future overseas rescue missions.
Gen. Ty informed that all members of the contingent are now in good health conditions and excited about their completed significant tasks. The delegation was applauded by Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang, received close direction and encouragement from the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense and relevant agencies and units, assistance from the Vietnamese Embassy and Vietnamese Defense Attaché Office in Myanmar, Mytel - Viettel Group’s joint venture in Myanmar.
He hoped that the MND would recognize and award individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in the rescue efforts in Myanmar.
Reported by Vu Hung
Translated by Mai Huong