The rescue team from the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security retrieves a victim’s body to hand over to the family. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Public Security

YANGON -- After five days in Myanmar, the Vietnamese search and rescue force — comprising both military and police officers — has successfully recovered nearly 20 bodies from the rubble and, in coordination with Turkish and Myanmar teams, rescued one survivor.

On April 3, the Vietnamese rescue delegation held a working session with the Disaster Management Centre under Myanmar's Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, chaired by Minister Soe Win.

During the meeting, the Vietnamese team updated the minister on their operations over the past days and discussed upcoming rescue activities at the site.

Specifically, after five days of operations, the team has recovered nearly 20 bodies, which were handed over to the victims’ families and local authorities. They also successfully rescued a survivor in coordination with Turkish and Myanmar teams on the ground

Families of the victims expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Vietnamese team for helping them retrieve the bodies of their loved ones, even after they had lost hope.

The minister said he highly appreciated the assistance of the Vietnamese rescue team and expressed a desire for continued support and cooperation, especially in helping displaced residents and in the search for victims still trapped under the debris. -- VNS