31.03.2025 (12:01 PM) Htate

The Vietnamese military and Hong Kong authorities have announced that they are preparing to send relief teams to help Myanmar’s recovery efforts after a powerful earthquake struck the country on March 28.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, followed by at least 10 aftershocks ranging from 2.8 to 7.5 on the Richter scale, causing many deaths and injuries. China, India, Russia and Malaysia have already sent relief teams to Myanmar.

Vietnam’s defense minister has also instructed the army chief to send relief teams to help Myanmar mitigate the effects of the earthquake, pending approval from relevant authorities.

Commanders, communication teams, search and rescue teams, Vietnam’s search and rescue service said it would send a 79-member rescue team, including military-grade sniffer dogs and military medics, led by Colonel Pham Hai Chu.

Vietnam said it had systematically selected the rescue team based on its experience in helping with the 2023 earthquake in Turkey.

A rescue team sent by the Hong Kong government also arrived in Yangon on March 29.

The 51-member Hong Kong rescue team includes officials from the Security Bureau, Fire Department, Immigration Department and Hospital Authority, as well as two search and rescue dogs.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee met the rescue team at Hong Kong Airport and presented the Hong Kong flag to the rescue team’s representatives.

The Hong Kong government formed the rescue team after receiving a request from the Myanmar Consulate General in Hong Kong, Lee said.

The Hong Kong government will fully support the rescue team, and the members will be safely and smoothly repatriated once the rescue operations are completed, Lee said.

On March 28, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto offered to help Myanmar and Thailand, which were hit by a powerful earthquake, and sent messages of condolences. Subianto said he shared his condolences and prayers with the victims at this difficult time.