Vietnamese rescued from ‘Yolanda’ fly home
In this Dec. 3, 2013 photo, Vietnamese Ambassador Truong Trieu Duong smiles during an interview at the Vietnamese embassy in Manila, Philippines. Vietnamese diplomats have repatriated more than two dozen compatriots who lost their homes and businesses in last month’s devastating typhoon in the central Philippines, where many of them have stayed illegally for years. AP Photo/Aaron Favila
MANILA, Philippines — Vietnamese diplomats have repatriated more than two dozen compatriots who lost their homes and businesses in last month’s devastating typhoon in the central Philippines, where many of them have stayed illegally for years.
Consul Hoang Nghia Cang said Sunday that they discovered through informants that there were about 50 Vietnamese who needed to be rescued in Tacloban City and other places devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan). Many of the Vietnamese have overstayed their tourist visas and have lived as small traders.
Vietnamese Ambassador Truong Trieu Duong said he oversaw the daring rescue of the Vietnamese by two of his diplomats amid many dangers. Most of those rescued flew back to Vietnam Friday and Saturday with the help of the embassy and Philippine immigration authorities.
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