Around 19:00, the tank was brought ashore after additional excavators were mobilized to dig away surrounding sand. Inside the vehicle, there was a lot of sand and debris; after cleaning, artillery shells, guns, and personal items were revealed.

The armored vehicle, approximately 3 meters wide, nearly 6 meters long, and over 2,5 meters high, will be received by the Gia Lai Provincial Military Command for processing and display.

The tank wreck being salvaged. Photo: Tran Hoa

The vehicle was identified as belonging to an armored unit of the 22nd Division of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. It was destroyed during its retreat on 31/3/1975 at Quy Nhon military port. Subsequently buried under sand, it had lost its turret and its body was rusted, only becoming visible when the tide receded.

On 17/4, Luong Quoc Cuong (31) discovered the vehicle's body exposed while jogging on Xuan Dieu street, about 20 meters from the seawall.

This afternoon, as the tide was low, authorities mobilized about 40 officers and soldiers, along with cranes and excavators, for the salvage operation, after sweeping the area for mines.

The tank's turret had lost its cover. Photo: Tran Hoa

While excavating sand around the vehicle, the team found numerous artillery shells, AR-15 rifles, bones, and other items.

This area had previously seen two other tanks salvaged. According to local authorities, before 1975, during their retreat, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam abandoned several vehicles on Quy Nhon beach.

Tran Hoa