Vietnamese soldiers coordinate to save young man trapped 5 days after earthquake in Myanmar

Clip of the Vietnam People's Army rescue team coordinating to rescue victims trapped after the earthquake in Myanmar. Source: National Defense Television

This afternoon (April 2), while carrying out rescue work at Ottara Thiri Hospital in the capital Naypyidaw of Myanmar, the Vietnam People's Army rescue team received information that there was a victim trapped in the rubble but still alive.

At 2:00 p.m., the rescue force of the Vietnamese Army in coordination with the rescue forces of Myanmar and Türkiye successfully rescued a young man.

The rescued man was Htet Maung Maung, 26 years old, a chef at the Aye Chan Thar hotel. His health was quite good, as he had previously received IV fluids from the rescue team.

Mr. U Myint Lin (victim's father) said that for nearly a week the family had not received any news about his son, and only this morning was informed that he was still alive. After being rescued, Htet Maung Maung was put on an ambulance to be transferred to the hospital amid the cheers of his family, rescuers and those present.

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Htet Maung Maung, 26, was rescued by rescuers after being trapped in the rubble for 5 days. Photo: Vu Hung

According to initial information, the victim was identified as a 26-27 year old man, trapped inside the Aye Chan Thar Hotel in Naypyidaw, about 20km from the hospital where the Vietnamese team was carrying out rescue work.

Aye Chan Thar Hotel in Naypyidaw, where survivors were trapped inside.

Immediately, the Vietnam People's Army sent a 6-member engineering team to coordinate with rescue forces from Türkiye and Myanmar to find a way to rescue the victims.

When the rescue team reached the victim's location, the young man was still able to speak and said he was fine, only lacking food and water. Rescue teams are currently looking for the nearest route to rescue the victim.

The position of the trapped victim. Photo: Vu Hung

Meanwhile, a part of the military medical force set up two tents to be ready to receive, provide first aid and medical examinations for people in the earthquake-affected areas in the capital Naypyidaw in the coming days.

This morning, two more bodies of earthquake victims were brought out by the Vietnam People's Army rescue team, bringing the total number of victims found by the team to seven.

The Vietnam People's Army rescue team decided to establish a temporary command post in the Ottara Thiri Hospital area to thoroughly handle all tasks.

Rescue forces of the Vietnam People's Army dig through the rubble to search for victims killed by the earthquake in Naypyidaw. Photo: Vu Hung

Previously, on April 1, Ms. Meme Cho - the daughter of a victim trapped and killed in a collapsed building - said that the family of Mr. U Maung Tin (74 years old) lived in building 2386 (in the Bala Tidi area, Zabu Thiri district, capital Naypyidaw) with 3 other families.

When the earthquake happened, there was an old man and woman with a small child in the house, while the old man's children were at work. The child was also trapped but was later rescued, losing a leg.

The Vietnam People's Army rescue force used sniffer dogs, wall-penetrating radar and image search equipment to determine the exact location of the deceased man.

U Maung Tin's family thanks the rescue force of the Vietnam People's Army. Photo: Vu Hung

Major General Pham Van Ty - Deputy Director of the Department of Rescue and Relief, Head of the team - said that the rescue work took place from early morning but encountered many difficulties. Because, when using equipment to separate and drill concrete, the structure could easily collapse, causing danger to the rescue team.

The victim was found and brought out of the rubble. Photo: Vu Hung

With great effort and determination, after more than 4 hours, the rescue team of the Vietnam People's Army was able to bring the old man's body out and hand it over to his family for funeral arrangements.

Myanmar media reported that the death toll from the earthquake has reached more than 2,700 and is expected to rise above 3,000. In addition, about 4,500 people were injured and 441 people are missing, but the actual number is believed to be much higher.

Rescue efforts are continuing in very difficult conditions, with temperatures expected to reach around 40 degrees Celsius.

High temperatures exhaust rescue workers and accelerate body decomposition, which could complicate identification.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/bo-doi-viet-nam-giai-cuu-nan-nhan-con-song-bi-mac-ket-sau-dong-dat-o-myanmar-2387068.html