Heroes next door &#8211; Vietnamese workers tear through Kumamoto quake rubble to save 90-year-old neighbour

Vietnamese Workers Join Rescue Effort

Five Vietnamese workers dug through a collapsed house with their bare hands to rescue an elderly neighbour after Tuesday’s powerful earthquake in southern Japan.

Footage shows Le Huy Tuan, Tran Ba Thinh, Bui Anh Ton, Ho Thi Tuyet and Nguyen Dang Trung Nghia tearing away shattered roof tiles, timber and rubble in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture.

Brave Rescue Amid Danger

Despite aftershocks and the risk of further collapse, the group climbed onto the wreckage and used saws and other tools to reach the woman, who was nearly 90. Locals joined the effort before she was carried to safety.

Speaking on Friday, Tuyet said the workers rushed to help after recognising the damaged home.

“One of us realised that the neighbouring house had collapsed, and we knew there was an elderly woman inside with whom we usually talk. We thought she might be in grave danger, so we came by to assess the situation,” she said.

Tuan said fear only set in after the rescue was over.

“We asked each other afterwards why we weren’t afraid then, but felt scared once we got home. There really wasn’t any other reason. The only thing that mattered was saving a life,” Tuan recounted.

“We didn’t overthink the consequences or worry about what might happen afterwards. Our only thought was saving the person,” he added.

Heroes Praised Across Countries

Their rescue has drawn widespread praise in both Japan and Vietnam, with local authorities recognising their courage and social media users hailing the group as heroes.

The death toll from Tuesday’s earthquake has risen to 34 as rescue and relief operations continue across southern Japan. The quake damaged homes, roads and bridges, and triggered a deadly explosion at a shopping centre. Around 9,000 people remain in evacuation centres as emergency crews race to restore essential services.

Le Huy Tuan, via Viory.Video