In a week marked by tragedy and perseverance, two separate search operations in Iraq and Vietnam have captured the world’s attention for their sheer determination and the human stories behind them. Both missions—one a frantic rescue after a bridge collapse in Iraq, the other a painstaking search for the remains of war martyrs in Vietnam—highlight the risks, resolve, and sense of duty that drive rescue and recovery teams, no matter the obstacles they face.
Late Saturday, September 6, 2025, Iraq was rocked by the collapse of a bridge under construction. According to local news reports, the incident occurred as daylight faded, catching workers and bystanders off guard. The scale of the disaster quickly became apparent: two people lost their lives, several more were injured, and others were reported missing in the chaos. The scene was one of confusion and urgency as rescue forces rushed to the site, launching a search that would stretch on for more than 13 hours.
Rescue workers, undeterred by the mounting fatigue and the pressure of time, pressed forward through the night and into the next day. As reported by local media, “Rescue forces in Iraq have been making efforts to search for missing people after two people died and several others were injured in the incident.” The operation was grueling, with teams sifting through twisted metal and shattered concrete, hoping against hope for signs of life. The search was not just about recovering the missing—it was a testament to the resilience and solidarity of those who risk everything to save others, even when the odds are stacked against them.
While the bridge collapse in Iraq commanded headlines, another kind of search was unfolding in Vietnam. There, the K90 Team of the Political Department of Military Region 9 embarked on a mission of remembrance and closure—seeking out the remains of soldiers who had fallen decades earlier in the fierce battles of the Vietnam War. The early days of the dry season in 2025-2026 marked the 25th phase of this ongoing effort, and the team’s focus was on the communes of Luong Hoa in Vinh Long province and Phong Dien in Can Tho city—former battlegrounds that bore witness to some of the war’s most intense fighting.
With resources and personnel marshaled for the task, the K90 Team split into two units. Team 1 concentrated its efforts in Phong Dien commune, Can Tho city, where they managed to recover the remains of three martyrs. Team 2, meanwhile, scoured the soil of Luong Hoa commune, Vinh Long province, successfully locating the remains of 23 martyrs. In total, 26 sets of remains were brought to light, offering families the long-awaited hope of closure and the nation a chance to honor its lost heroes.
Yet, the work was far from easy. The terrain was unforgiving, and the weather did little to cooperate. Mud, heat, and dense undergrowth slowed the teams at every turn. Still, as the official account noted, “Despite unfavorable weather and terrain conditions, the K90 Team was determined to complete the assigned mission.” Their perseverance was not just a matter of professional obligation—it was a deeply personal commitment, shared by every member of the team, to restore dignity to those who had given their lives in service to their country.
Photographs from the scene show the K90 Team—faces set in concentration, hands caked with earth—methodically sifting through the ground for any trace of the fallen. The images are a powerful reminder of the patience and respect required for such work. The remains, once found, were carefully gathered and prepared for proper reburial, each discovery a small but significant victory in the long struggle to heal the wounds of war.
The operation was not without its moments of reflection and gratitude. Lieutenant Colonel La Phu Huy, representing the leadership of the K90 Team, took a moment to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of his colleagues. “On behalf of the K90 Team Command, I acknowledge and commend the efforts and dedication of the unit’s officers and soldiers. In the coming time, each officer and soldier should continue to be determined, overcome all difficulties, and successfully complete the task. The Party Committee and commanders of the teams should continue to pay attention to ensuring the material and spiritual well-being of the troops; carry out effective public relations work, and build and maintain solidarity between the officers, soldiers, local party committees, authorities, and the people where the unit is stationed and in the areas where the search and collection of martyrs’ remains are being carried out,” he emphasized.
His words capture the spirit that animates both the rescue teams in Iraq and the search units in Vietnam: a blend of duty, compassion, and camaraderie that transcends borders and circumstances. Whether racing against time to save the living or painstakingly recovering the lost, these teams embody a commitment to service that is as inspiring as it is essential.
In Iraq, the rescue operation continued long after the initial shock of the bridge collapse had faded from the headlines. The search for the missing stretched on, each hour bringing new challenges and fresh hope. The families of the victims, gathered anxiously at the scene, looked to the rescuers for answers and comfort. Their determination to persevere, even in the face of tragedy, was mirrored by the teams working tirelessly in the rubble.
Meanwhile, in Vietnam, the discovery of the martyrs’ remains was met with a mixture of relief and solemnity. For many families, the news meant an end to years—sometimes decades—of uncertainty. The process of identification and reburial would follow, each step marked by rituals of respect and remembrance. For the K90 Team, the successful completion of this phase was both a professional achievement and a deeply personal fulfillment.
Both stories, though separated by geography and circumstance, underscore a universal truth: the work of rescue and recovery is never easy, and it is rarely celebrated as it should be. Yet, it is in these moments of crisis and remembrance that the best of humanity shines through—when individuals come together, set aside their own fears and discomforts, and devote themselves to the service of others, whether the living or the dead.
As the world moves on to new headlines, the efforts of these teams in Iraq and Vietnam serve as a quiet but powerful reminder that, even in the darkest of times, there are those who refuse to give up. Their stories, marked by loss and hope, duty and compassion, will not soon be forgotten.