Many 6th grade students were swept away in Serepok

Many students were swept away by the water after school while swimming in a hydroelectric reservoir. Four bodies have been found. Local authorities are asking parents to provide information to help determine the number of missing people.

Around 11am today, after school, about 20 students of class 6A of Ho Tung Mau school, Buon Don district, Dak Lak province invited each other to play at the Serepok 4 Hydropower reservoir. Many students jumped into the lake to swim and were swept into a deep hole. Other students saw this and rushed in to save their friends, causing at least 5 students to drown.

Locals have recovered the bodies of four students, including three males and one female. Another student is being treated.

Serepok is the largest river in Dak Lak.

According to Mr. Huynh Quang, Vice Chairman of Buon Don District, there were 5 pairs of sandals at the scene but it is not certain how many students were involved. Local authorities are asking parents to provide information to determine the number of missing people.

News from Buon Don General Hospital said that the female student who was given emergency treatment at the hospital has just overcome the critical stage and is able to drink milk.

At the scene, police and soldiers are still searching for other students. The bodies of the four victims have been returned to their families for burial.

The Serepok is the largest river in the Dak Lak river system and is an important source of surface water for the province. However, the river is becoming increasingly fierce and volatile due to deforestation and slash-and-burn agriculture in the upstream and on both sides of the river. There are now many hydroelectric projects along the river.

Nearly a year ago, a passenger bus while passing Serepok Bridge on Highway 14 crashed into the bridge railing and fell into the river from a height of 18 meters, killing 34 people.

According to VN Express - TH