Lao army assists with Myanmar earthquake recovery effort

Rescuers work at the Sky Villa Condo that collapsed In Friday's earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar, Sunday, March 30, 2025. A group of 33 Lao army personnel flew to Myanmar on April 1 to help with rescue and recovery operations. - AP

VIENTIANE: A group of 33 Lao army personnel flew to Myanmar on Monday (April 1) to help with rescue and recovery operations in the wake of the earthquake that occurred last Friday.

The unit is led by the Deputy Director of the Office of the General Staff of the Army Disaster Management Committee of the Ministry of National Defence, and Coordinator of the Central Disaster Management Committee, Colonel Patthana Bouttichak, and his colleagues.

The group consists of 13 firefighters, 11 soldiers and other support personnel. After arriving at Naypyidaw Airport, the delegation was warmly welcomed by representatives from relevant departments and then travelled to Mandalay, which is the area worst affected by the earthquake.

International and domestic rescuers have been racing against time to save more lives in quake-affected areas.

The first consignment of disaster-relief materials offered by the Chinese government arrived in Myanmar on Monday, while other neighbouring countries have sent rescue teams to help with the search for missing people buried in the rubble. - Vientiane Times/ANN