The latest recovery brings the total number of victims found by the Vietnamese mission to 45 since its deployment to the disaster zone.

Among the day's most demanding operations was the recovery of the final victim from the ruins of a collapsed eight-storey apartment building. Several domestic and international rescue teams had previously judged the mission to be nearly impossible because the damaged structure remained at high risk of further collapse.

Relying on specialised equipment, professional expertise and a careful, methodical approach, the Vietnamese team successfully completed one of the most technically challenging recovery operations at the site. The search for victims still trapped beneath the debris is continuing.

Beyond search and recovery efforts, members of the Vietnamese contingent also provided emergency medical assistance for a local volunteer who collapsed after inhaling toxic gases while taking part in rescue operations, helping stabilise the individual's condition.

On the same day, Col. Pham Hung Duong, Deputy Director of the Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting, Relief and Rescue and head of the Ministry of Public Security's rescue team, visited families who were displaced by the earthquakes and are living in makeshift roadside shelters near the disaster area. The delegation shared essential supplies, including food from the team's own rations, to support those affected.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Rescue and Salvage Department under the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) and head of the military rescue mission in Venezuela, conveyed a letter of commendation from Gen. Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, to officers and soldiers serving in the relief mission.

In his message, Giang commended the force for its dedication and professionalism, urging its members to uphold the traditions of the VPA, maintain close coordination and overcome challenges to continue their humanitarian mission while ensuring absolute safety. He affirmed that people across Vietnam, together with the country's armed forces, are closely following the team's efforts and have full confidence in their mission.

Venezuela earthquakes: Vietnamese rescuers bring a grieving mother her final goodbye

A week after devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela, as hopes of finding survivors fade, Vietnamese rescuers continue racing against time in the ruins of a collapsed five-storey apartment building in Playa Grande, La Guaira state.

While reporting from the disaster site, Venezuela's national broadcaster lingered on a poignant scene: Maria Elena, a Venezuelan mother with tear-swollen eyes hollowed by days of grief, clinging tightly to the hand of Maj. Gen. Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Rescue and Salvage Department under the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and head of the mission.

She spoke no Vietnamese. He spoke little Spanish. Yet the tears streaming down the face of a mother who had lost her child became a language that required no interpreter.

Her 16-year-old daughter, Camila, was believed to be trapped beneath thousands of tonnes of concrete. Moments before the building collapsed, Camila managed to make one brief phone call to her mother. Then the signal disappeared.

For five days, Maria remained at the site, watching excavators roar in vain through the rubble.

Everything changed when Vietnam's joint rescue mission arrived, equipped with advanced acoustic life-detection devices and highly trained search dogs. Working with Search Team No. 3, comprising engineers from the VPA and firefighters from Vietnam's fire and rescue police, the rescuers faced one of the mission's most daunting tasks: locating a victim whose signs of life had long vanished.

The Vietnamese rescuers crawled through gaps barely wide enough for a single person, fully aware that damaged concrete slabs above them could collapse at any moment as aftershocks continued to shake the area.

"Max! Over here!"

The command echoed across the ruins as a search dog from Vietnam's Border Guard barked repeatedly, clawing at a deep crack beneath the fractured base of a load-bearing column.

A snake camera was carefully threaded into the narrow opening.

On the team leader's small monitor, the corner of a light-blue T-shirt came into view.

Standing behind the safety cordon, Maria seemed to sense what had happened. She sank to her knees, clutching her chest. It was the same shirt Camila had been wearing on the morning of the earthquakes.

The recovery operation unfolded in profound silence.

The Vietnamese rescuers chose not to use heavy machinery. Instead, they relied on their hands and small shovels, gently removing each broken brick and fragment of concrete, as though fearful of causing any further harm to the young girl.

Sweat mixed with dust streamed down their faces, soaking the green uniforms bearing Vietnam's red flag with its golden star.

When Camila's body was finally recovered intact from beneath the cold rubble, silence once again settled over the disaster site.

Maria rushed forward and embraced her daughter as heart-rending cries echoed through the devastated neighbourhood.

Moments later, through her tears, she turned toward the Vietnamese rescuers.

Without a word of resentment toward fate, she dropped to her knees, grasped the bloodied, scarred hands of a Vietnamese military engineer and repeatedly whispered through sobs: "Gracias, Vietnam!... Gracias..." ("Thank you, Vietnam!")

After seven days of disappearance and five days of unimaginable anguish, a grieving mother finally found a measure of peace — the chance to see her daughter one last time and lay her to rest with dignity. 

Maria Elena gives her thanks to the Vietnamese search-and-rescue team. (Source: Ministry of National Defence)
That evening, a local news outlet published an article, saying Venezuelans would never forget the image of the Vietnamese rescuers, who had travelled thousands of kilometres, risking their own lives not in pursuit of glory, but to recover fragments of hope and bring comfort to families devastated by tragedy.

Amid the darkness left by the earthquakes, the compassion and international solidarity shown by Vietnam's military soldiers and public security officers became a beacon of humanity, writing one of the disaster's most moving final chapters at the epicentre in La Guaira./.

Venezuela honours international rescue teams, sends thanks to Vietnam’s top leader

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodriguez chaired a ceremony in La Guaira state on July 3 to honour international rescue forces for their considerable contributions to search and rescue operations following the twin earthquakes that struck the South American nation on June 24.

Speaking at the event, Rodriguez expressed her profound gratitude for the solidarity and timely assistance provided by foreign governments, international organisations, and rescue teams during Venezuela's challenging times.

She emphasised that the presence of rescue teams in devastated areas has brought immense hope to the local population, affirming that Venezuela is not alone in its battle to overcome the aftermath of the natural disaster.

On this occasion, through Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Vu Trung My, the acting President sent a letter of gratitude and presented the "Hero of Venezuela" medal to Party General Secretary and State President To Lam.

The ceremony was attended by President of the National Assembly of Venezuela Jorge Rodriguez Gomez, Secretary-General of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and Vice President for internal affairs Diosdado Cabello, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yvan Gil, along with representatives of the diplomatic corps and military attachés from many countries in Venezuela.

The twin earthquakes that hit Venezuela on June 24 caused severe casualties and property damage, leaving more than 2,600 people dead and over 12,600 injured while heavily destroying infrastructure.

The Venezuelan Government is coordinating with international forces to urgently deliver humanitarian aid and set up temporary shelters for residents in affected areas./.VNA