The Prime Minister praised the rescue forces involved in the hydroelectric tunnel collapse.

Despite being on a business trip to Thailand, upon receiving news of the successful rescue of 12 workers trapped in the Da Dang hydropower tunnel (Lam Dong province), Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung was very pleased and immediately sent a letter of commendation to the rescue forces after his plane landed in Bangkok on the evening of December 19th.

The full text of the letter of commendationEmergency response efforts following the collapse of the water tunnel at the Da Dang hydroelectric power plant in Lac Duong district, Lam Dong province.

Dear:Rescue forces are working to save workers trapped in a tunnel collapse at the Da Dang hydroelectric power plant (in Lat Commune, Lac Duong District, Lam Dong Province).

Over the past four days (December 16-19, 2014), rescue efforts for the 12 workers trapped in the collapsed water tunnel of the Da Dang hydroelectric project (in Lat Commune, Lac Duong District, Lam Dong Province) have been directed with intense determination. The National Search and Rescue Committee, ministries, departments, the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Council, the Provincial People's Committee, the Flood and Storm Prevention and Search and Rescue Command, the departments and agencies of Lam Dong Province, the military, the police, the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Corporation, the Song Da Corporation, and other rescue forces have closely coordinated and promptly implemented rescue plans, achieving extremely positive results. On the afternoon of December 19, 2014, all 12 people trapped in the collapsed tunnel were safely brought out by rescue forces in good health. This is a very joyful result, fulfilling the expectations of family members and fellow citizens across the country who have been following, sharing, and supporting us in recent days.

I wholeheartedly commend the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Council, the Provincial People's Committee, the Provincial Flood and Storm Prevention and Search and Rescue Command of Lam Dong Province; the Lam Dong Provincial Military Command, the Lam Dong Provincial Police Department; the Lam Dong Provincial Health Department; the Lam Dong Provincial Electricity Department; the Lac Duong District People's Committee; the Lat Commune People's Committee; the Ministries of National Defense, Public Security, Construction, Industry and Trade, and Health; the officers and soldiers of the Engineering Command (Ministry of National Defense); the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department (Ministry of Public Security); the officers and soldiers of Military Region 7, the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Force of Ho Chi Minh City; the search and rescue forces of the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Corporation; the Song Da Corporation; the doctors and nurses of Cho Ray Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City); and all officers, soldiers, and forces from various sectors participating in the rescue work for excellently completing their tasks in the shortest possible time, with a high sense of responsibility, upholding the noble tradition of compassion and empathy.

I propose that the Ministry of Health, the Provincial Party Committee, and the People's Committee of Lam Dong province encourage and visit the injured workers; and at the same time, direct doctors and medical staff to continue focusing their resources, equipment, and medical supplies to examine, treat, and care for the injured workers, and support their families in need to quickly return to stability.

Wishing you all good health, happiness, and outstanding performance in your duties.

Friendly,

Nguyen Tan Dung