On the afternoon of July 28, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 occurred in Kumamoto Prefecture, causing the strongest level 7 earthquake according to Japan's seismic intensity scale. Many houses collapsed, roads were damaged, and transportation and electricity systems were disrupted. In those initial chaotic hours, a warm story about humanity took place in Yatsushiro city.
After the earthquake, 5 Vietnamese workers on their way back to their homes discovered that the house of a neighboring elderly woman had collapsed. The elderly woman was nearly 90 years old, living alone and often staying in the house. Thinking that she was still trapped under the rubble, the group immediately ran to find a way to save people.
Recounting to a VNA reporter in Japan, Mr. Le Huy Tuan, one of the 5 Vietnamese workers participating in the rescue, said that when they saw the collapsed house, everyone immediately thought of the old woman. Without anyone telling anyone, the group of 5 people immediately rushed into the ruins.
Without specialized rescue equipment, they started with their own hands. Each tile, brick and wooden bar was urgently removed. After that, the group of young people found more saws and other tools to cut and break each part of the obstacle. The work took place in dangerous conditions when the remaining walls and structures of the house could continue to collapse at any time, while the tremors continued to occur continuously.
At the scene at that time, there were also some Japanese people, but mostly elderly people. Realizing that time was decisive for the old woman's safety, Mr. Tuan and his friends decided not to hesitate. Mr. Tuan recounted: "We just thought we had to take her out as soon as possible. At that time, no one thought of danger to themselves, just hoping she was safe.
After continuous efforts, with the support of local people, the Vietnamese labor group finally reached the position of the trapped old woman and saved her from the collapsed house safely.
Mr. Tuan said that all 5 brothers acted because of their responsibility to the neighbor who was in trouble. They did not consider what they were doing to be special, because in that situation, saving people was the only priority.
It is that simplicity that makes the story touching. 5 Vietnamese workers away from home did not stand aside in the face of the difficulties of the community where they are living. They consider the old neighbor as a relative and consider rescuing people in distress as something that must be done.
Mr. Tuan expressed his hope that the group's actions will contribute to spreading the good image of Vietnamese people in Japan - hardworking people in labor, living responsibly, knowing how to share and ready to be present when the community needs them.
Images of Vietnamese youth participating in rescuing people were then shared on social networks, 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 nurtured from simple actions in daily life.
