Memorial ceremony held for fallen officers and officials

The ceremony was jointly organized by the General Staff, the Military Region 4 Command, the Thua Thien - Hue provincial Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and Fatherland Front Committee, and families of 13 victims.

As reported, 13 members of the 21-member working mission from the Search and Rescue Department of the Ministry of National Defense, the Military Region 4 Command, Thua Thien - Hue province, Phong Dien district, and other relevant agencies laid down their lives when traveling to Rao Trang 3 Hydropower Plant on October 12 to assist with the rescue work.

In acknowledgement of their contributions and sacrifices, on October 17, State President Nguyen Phu Trong signed a decision to posthumously promote Deputy Director of the Department for Search and Rescue Senior Colonel Nguyen Huu Hung to the rank of Major General.

The President also decided to posthumously bestow the National Protection Order on the 11 fallen officers. Particularly, Deputy Commander of Military Region 4 Major General Nguyen Van Man and Deputy Director of the Department for Search and Rescue Major General Nguyen Huu Hung were posthumously awarded with the first-class Fatherland Protection Order. Five officers were posthumously bestowed second-class Fatherland Protection Order, and the four remaining were posthumously presented the third-class Fatherland Protection Order.

Below are some images of the respect-paying ceremony and the memorial service for the fallen military officers and local officials on October 18.

At the respect-paying ceremony for the fallen soldiers and officials who sacrificed while heading to Rao Trang 3 Hydropower Plant to assist the search and rescue mission

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong sends a wreath to pay homage to the fallen.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc sends a wreath in tribute to the fallen.

Early in the morning, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung was present at the funeral hall to pay condolences with the victims’ families.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung, Chief of the General Staff and Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang, and delegates paying respect to the fallen

A mission of the Central Military Commission and Ministry of National Defense, led by Chief of the General Staff and Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang, paying homage to the fallen soldiers and officials

Mission of the General Department of Politics paying tribute to the victims

Officers of the General Staff paying homage to the victims

A mission of leaders of Military Region 4 paying tribute to the fallen officers and officials

The General Department of Logistics’ mission commemorating the fallen troops and officials

Representatives of arms and services paying respect to the victims

At 10:38 on October 18, the memorial ceremony was solemnly held.

A representative of families of 13 victims at the memorial service

After memorial ceremony, coffins of victims were taken to their hometowns for burial service.

Local people bidding farewell to the martyrs

Translated by Song Anh