After six days buried under rubble, a 47-year-old man has been pulled to safety by Malaysia’s elite Special Search and Rescue Team (SMART).
The dramatic rescue took place in Myanmar’s Sagaing region, which was struck by a catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake, leaving thousands dead and many more missing.
𝐆𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐀 𝐁𝐔𝐌𝐈 𝐌𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐌𝐀𝐑 𝐌𝐀𝐒-𝟎𝟏, 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓, 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐢 𝐌𝐲𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐡: 𝟎𝟐 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐔𝐩 Pasukan SMART telah...
Posted by Pasukan Mencari Dan Menyelamat Khas Malaysia on Wednesday 2 April 2025
The SMART team, deployed as part of Malaysia’s humanitarian response, worked tirelessly alongside local rescuers to locate and extract survivors. Using specialised equipment and their extensive expertise in disaster relief, they carefully navigated the unstable remains of a collapsed hotel building, where the survivor had been trapped.
“The conditions were extremely dangerous. There was always the risk of a second collapse,” SMART’s MAS-01 unit shared in a statement. Despite the high risk, their efforts paid off when they successfully pulled the survivor from the wreckage at 2:27pm on 2 April. The man was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hailed the rescue as a testament to human resilience and Malaysia’s commitment to global disaster relief.
“This is nothing short of a miracle. The SMART team has shown incredible dedication, sacrificing their time during Aidilfitri to carry out this mission. Their bravery and selflessness are deeply appreciated,” he said in a statement.
In addition to the successful rescue, SMART personnel also recovered the bodies of six individuals who tragically lost their lives in the disaster. With nearly 3,000 casualties reported so far, the devastation continues to unfold, and rescue efforts remain ongoing.
Saya kongsikan saat-saat penuh dedikasi pasukan SMART Malaysia yang sedang menjalankan misi menyelamat di Myanmar susulan gempa bumi dahsyat yang melanda negara itu. Malaysia sentiasa bersolidariti dengan negara sahabat dalam waktu sukar. Semoga segala usaha ini dipermudahkan dan lebih banyak nyawa dapat diselamatkan. Terima kasih kepada pasukan penyelamat kita atas keberanian dan pengorbanan mereka.
Posted by Zahid Hamidi on Wednesday 2 April 2025
On behalf of the Malaysian government, Zahid extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, offering words of support during this difficult time. He assured that Malaysia, through the National Disaster Management Agency and other relevant organisations, would continue to provide aid and monitor the situation closely.
Following the announcement of the rescue, messages of gratitude poured in from Myanmar citizens, expressing appreciation for the Malaysian team’s efforts in their time of need.
As the world watches and recovery efforts persist, may the people of Myanmar find strength and courage in the face of adversity. And to the brave rescuers who risk their lives to save others—thank you.
