Engineer lieutenant recounts the moment of rescuing a young man trapped 6 days after the earthquake

Touching the victim's hand in the rubble, engineer lieutenant Dao Van Long and his teammates broke the concrete layer and pulled the victim out of the rubble after the earthquake in Myanmar.

At around 2:00 p.m. on April 2, the rescue force of the Vietnam People's Army coordinated with the rescue forces of Myanmar and Türkiye to successfully rescue Mr. Htet Maung Maung (26 years old, chef) trapped in the rubble of the Aye Chan Thar Hotel (capital Naypyidaw, Myanmar).

The moment when Lieutenant Dao Van Long approached the victim

PHOTO: NAM HUNG

This is a miracle considering the young man had been trapped for 6 days. After being rescued, Htet Maung Maung was taken to the hospital.

Sharing about the rescue process, Senior Lieutenant Dao Van Long, Collapse Rescue Team, Brigade 229, Engineering Corps ( Ministry of National Defense ), said that at noon on April 2, when receiving information that the young man was still alive in the rubble, the commander of the Vietnamese rescue team sent 6 people to move 20 km to coordinate with the forces of Myanmar and Turkey.

Lieutenant Long was the one who directly entered the rubble area. He used a chisel from a neighboring country to break the concrete so he could touch the trapped victim's hand.

Senior Lieutenant Dao Van Long, Collapse Rescue Team, Brigade 229, Engineer Corps

PHOTO: NAM HUNG

"I was able to drill a small hole and then put my hand down and touch the victim's hand," said Lieutenant Long. Ten minutes later, Long had drilled a large hole through the concrete. He then scraped away the debris underneath and brought the victim out amid cheers from the crowd.

Colonel Dao Van Duy, Vietnam's Defense Attaché in Myanmar, said he told the victim that "the rescue team of the Vietnam People's Army has arrived, don't worry, we will help you get out of the rubble."

Htet Maung Maung's family later shed tears, sending their thanks to everyone in the multi-national rescue team. Mr. U Myint Lin, father of victim Htet Maung Maung, said: "On the day of the earthquake, Htet Maung Maung went to work at the hotel. In the past few days, the family has not received any news about their son, only this morning were we informed that Htet Maung Maung is still alive."

Myanmar thanks Vietnam

On the morning of April 3, a working group from the Ministry of Security, Mitigation and Resettlement of Myanmar had a working session with the Vietnamese rescue team. Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Department of Rescue and Relief, commander of the Vietnam People's Army team, said that the team had coordinated to save the life of one victim and recovered 17 bodies from collapsed hospitals and buildings.

Mr. Soe Win, Minister of Security, Mitigation and Resettlement of Myanmar, expressed gratitude to Vietnam for receiving the assistance.

"We would like to express our sincere and deepest gratitude to the Vietnamese people, leaders and rescue team, who did not hesitate to make sacrifices and hardships to support us in this difficult time," said Mr. Soe Win.

On April 3, General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, sent a letter to officers and professional soldiers participating in earthquake recovery in Myanmar.

In the letter, General Phan Van Giang wrote: "You comrades have deeply demonstrated the noble international spirit, the fine traditions of the nation and the noble qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers. The tasks in the coming days are still very heavy, difficult and dangerous; each passing moment shortens the lives of the victims. I hope that you comrades will continue to try, be more determined, and help more victims. The Government and people of Myanmar are looking forward to your help."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thuong-uy-cong-binh-ke-phut-giai-cuu-chang-trai-mac-ket-sau-6-ngay-dong-dat-1852504031342369.htm