(Baonghean.vn) - Despite warning signs, dozens of children are playing daily on the Pha Lai dam, a place where many people have lost their lives.
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| The Pha Lai Dam, located on the Giang River in Mon Son commune, is the largest irrigation project in Con Cuong district. Completed in 2002, the dam aims to retain water for farming, daily life, and tourism. With a height of over 10 meters, a steep slope, and a large water flow, the dam creates a very strong current. The water at the base of the dam is deep. (Photo: Tien Hung) |
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| Despite the danger, dozens of children still swim here every day without a care. "It's okay, we all know how to swim. We won't die," confidently says Vi Van Hien (12 years old, Mon Son commune). According to Hien, on hot days, sometimes more than 100 children swim in the dam at the same time. Photo: Tien Hung |
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| Despite the high, steep, and slippery spillway, many children still play and climb against the current. None of the children swimming in this area have any safety equipment such as life vests... Photo: Tien Hung |
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| Two young children recklessly raced against the current, regardless of the water splashing all over them. Photo: Tien Hung |
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| After only a short distance, the child behind couldn't withstand the strong current and the slippery surface, and was swept down to the base of the dam. Photo: Tien Hung |
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| Many children even compete to jump from a height of over 10 meters into the deep river. "Once I got a cramp while jumping in. But I was fine afterwards, I didn't die," said Lo Van Thong (13 years old) with a smile. "This area is far from residential areas. If a child were to drown, it would be too late to run and call for help from adults," a local resident said. (Photo: Tien Hung) |
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| The Pha Lai dam was built 15 years ago. However, since then, dozens of accidents have claimed the lives of nearly 10 people. Some of the victims were even border guards and tourists... Photo: Tien Hung |
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| Recently, Mon Son commune has put up warning signs about the danger, but this measure seems to have had no effect. "We have also instructed the villages to educate the people not to let children swim there, but to no avail. We are planning to set up a boat management station and have people on duty to prevent children from swimming there," said Mr. Luong Viet Tung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Mon Son commune. Photo: Tien Hung |
Tien Hung
