Japan earthquake: Five Vietnamese workers courageously join rescue efforts as casualties rise
WVR - The death toll from the 7.1-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, on July 28, has risen to 13, with over 100 people injured.
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| A house on fire in Yatsushiro, Japan, on July 28 after the strong earthquake. (Source: Kyodo) |
According to The Guardian, immediately after the tremor, an explosion occurred at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping center, believed to be related to a gas leak. Images from the scene showed part of the building completely collapsed, exposing steel structures, while numerous fire trucks and ambulances were deployed to search for survivors.
According to the Kumamoto Prefecture authorities, rescue teams worked overnight to free eight people trapped in the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping center. Two women in their 20s were confirmed dead, another person was in cardiac arrest, and five others were injured. The remaining victims died in other areas of Kumamoto Prefecture.
Rescue teams are also searching through rubble at key sites, including a paper mill in Yatsushiro, where a chimney collapsed. Rescuers found two workers in cardiac arrest and transported them to the hospital, while nine others remain missing.
The earthquake also caused power outages for about 48,000 households, damaged roads, bridges, and numerous structures. The Shinkansen high-speed rail line in Kyushu was temporarily suspended, Kumamoto Airport closed its runway, and telecommunications services in some areas were disrupted. The Japan Nuclear Regulation Authority reported no abnormalities at nuclear power plants.
Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae stated that approximately 300,000 people have been ordered to evacuate and pledged that rescue forces would work through the night to search for those trapped. The Japanese Ministry of Defense has mobilized 3,600 soldiers and 20 aircraft to participate in rescue operations and assess damage.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that the affected area still faces the risk of strong earthquakes and landslides for about a week. Over 60 aftershocks have been recorded so far. A tsunami warning was issued immediately after the earthquake but was lifted after about two hours.
The earthquake occurred in an area that previously suffered a disaster in 2016, which killed 275 people. Japan is located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and is one of the most seismically active countries in the world.
Five Vietnamese workers courageously join rescue efforts
Amid the rubble following the strong earthquake, five young Vietnamese workers bravely joined local residents in digging through debris to safely rescue an elderly woman nearly 90 years old trapped in a collapsed house. This compassionate act is spreading a beautiful image of the Vietnamese community in Japan.
Recounting the event to reporters, Le Huy Tuan, one of the five Vietnamese workers involved in the rescue, said he and four colleagues were on their way back home when they discovered that the house of an elderly neighbour had collapsed. The nearly 90-year-old woman lived alone and was often at home. Believing she was still trapped under the rubble, the group immediately rushed to find a way to rescue her.
Without specialized rescue equipment, they began with their bare hands. Tiles, bricks, and wooden beams were quickly removed. The young men then found saws and other tools to cut and clear obstacles. The work was carried out under dangerous conditions as remaining walls and structures of the house could collapse at any moment, while aftershocks continued to occur.
At the scene, there were also some Japanese people, mostly elderly. Recognizing that time was crucial for the elderly woman's safety, Tuan and his friends decided not to hesitate. Tuan recounted: “We only thought about getting her out as soon as possible. At that moment, no one thought about the danger to themselves, only hoping she would be safe.”
After continuous efforts, with the support of local residents, the Vietnamese workers finally reached the elderly woman's location and safely brought her out of the collapsed house.
Tuan said that all five of them acted out of responsibility towards a neighbour in distress. They did not consider their actions to be anything special, as in that situation, saving lives was the only priority.
Tuan expressed hope that the group's actions would contribute to spreading a positive image of Vietnamese people in Japan – hardworking individuals who live responsibly, share with others, and are ready to help when the community needs them.
Images of the Vietnamese youth group participating in the rescue were later shared on social media, receiving much admiration and praise. For the Vietnamese community in Japan, this is not only a source of pride but also a reminder that the image of Vietnamese people abroad is built from simple acts in daily life.
