In a Daring Eight-Hour Operation, Hope Prevails Amidst Tragedy!

SINGAPORE - In an inspiring display of international cooperation, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has made headlines as they collaborated with local rescuers in Myanmar to save a man trapped under the debris of a collapsed building following the catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked the region on March 28.

On March 30, SCDF officials reported that the perilous operation unfolded over an intense eight-hour period. The mission took place in Zabuthiri Township in Naypyitaw, where local authorities alerted the rescuers about a man confined beneath the crumbled remains of a three-storey residential structure on Ngu Wah Road.

With a heavy heart, the nation watches as the death toll in Myanmar surpasses 1,600, with neighboring Thailand recording 17 fatalities. The quake has left over 3,400 individuals injured, with at least 139 still missing.

The SCDF had dispatched an 80-member team, along with four specially trained search canines, to assist with the rescue operations. As part of the elite Operation Lionheart contingent, they arrived in Naypyitaw on the night of March 29, ready to provide their expert assistance.

During the rescue, the SCDF and local firefighters employed cutting-edge equipment to break through the concrete slabs entrapping the victim. Remarkably, throughout the ordeal, rescuers maintained verbal communication with the trapped individual, delivering water through a plastic tube to help sustain him. This crucial element proved to be pivotal, as the man remained conscious and engaged, battling through the ordeal with hope.

After an exhausting eight hours of meticulous and determined effort, the team successfully freed the trapped man, who was later assessed by SCDF paramedics and found to be in stable condition before being transported to a nearby hospital for further care.

Earlier on the same day, SCDF had conducted assessments at another disaster site on Aungmyay Theinkha Street, where two additional three-storey buildings had collapsed. Unfortunately, no signs of life were detected, despite deploying advanced life detection equipment and search canines, Frenchy and Rizzo, to scour the area for potential survivors.

The SCDF’s Operation Lionheart contingent comprises elite disaster assistance specialists, including full-time national servicemen medical professionals, paramedics, and hazardous materials experts. Their mission is poised to extend for up to 14 arduous days, as both Singapore and Myanmar unite in this time of crisis, showcasing the resilience of humanity in the face of adversity.

As the world watches and hopes for more miraculous rescues, this event serves as a reminder of the tireless efforts and dedication by rescuers who risk their lives to save others. Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding tragedy and efforts to support the earthquake recovery!