SINGAPORE – With the urgent words, “No matter what happens, we need to get him out,” the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) launched a daring rescue mission in earthquake-stricken Myanmar. Deployed on March 29, the 80-member Operation Lionheart contingent responded swiftly to the devastating 7.7-magnitude quake, bringing critical life-saving expertise to communities in need.
A Grueling 8-Hour Rescue Amid the Rubble
Late on March 30, SCDF rescuers received an alert about a man trapped under a collapsed three-storey residential building on Ngu Wah Road. Working in dangerous, confined spaces, the team meticulously planned and executed a complex rescue mission that lasted eight hours.
Led by Lieutenant Mohamed Salih Shaik Dawood and Warrant Officer 1 Mohamed Azlan Mohamed, the rescuers navigated narrow gaps, using compact electric and battery-powered tools to carefully break through concrete without destabilizing the fragile structure.
Throughout the rescue, SCDF officers maintained constant communication with the victim, providing reassurance and hydration through a plastic tube. Their perseverance paid off as they eventually created an opening to safely pull the man from the debris — a moment marked by relief, emotion, and overwhelming joy.
Operation Lionheart: Team Composition and Roles
SCDF’s Operation Lionheart contingent comprised:
- 44 rescuers from the elite Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART)
- 13 National Servicemen, including two full-time NSF doctors
- 4 paramedics
- 4 search specialists with 4 specially trained canines
- 4 hazardous materials specialists
- 15 support officers
The team’s diversity allowed them to tackle a wide range of challenges — from collapsed structures and medical emergencies to hazardous materials and search operations with K9 units.
Behind the Scenes: Engineers and Medical Heroes
Structural engineers like Major Ros Farina Mohd Fauzi Rodrigues and MAJ Chew Jia Han played critical roles in ensuring rescue operations were safe. They assessed unstable structures, often using only surface observations, and advised when to proceed or halt work to prevent further collapse.
Meanwhile, SCDF’s medical teams set up outposts in affected areas such as Pyokkon and Dhakhinna Thiri Township, providing essential primary care to locals. In areas where hospitals were severely damaged and overwhelmed, SCDF doctors like Captain Sarvananthan Rajragavan treated injuries ranging from infections to critical trauma cases.
A Spirit of Resilience and Humanity
During their 11-day mission, the SCDF contingent:
- Searched 26 sites
- Provided medical care to about 130 residents
The locals’ resilience deeply moved the rescuers. Despite their loss and suffering, Myanmar’s residents frequently extended small acts of kindness to the SCDF team — offering water, gratitude, and unwavering positivity.
Colonel Tay Zhi Wei, commander of the SCDF first division and Operation Lionheart team leader, highlighted the emotional impact of these interactions. Stories, like two young girls who gifted a sticker to a rescuer as a token of appreciation, left lasting memories of hope amid devastation.
A Legacy of Commitment
For seasoned officers like WO1 Azlan, who has participated in previous missions in Nepal and Türkiye, Operation Lionheart is more than just rescue work — it’s a calling.
“To be able to help people with whatever skills we have, that’s the greatest feeling ever,” he shared.
The SCDF’s Operation Lionheart continues to embody Singapore’s commitment to international humanitarian efforts, showcasing skill, resilience, and compassion wherever disaster strikes.
