On the afternoon of February 4th, the Ben Tre Provincial Police announced the discovery of the bodies of three teenagers involved in a drowning incident on the Tien River. After a day of intensive search efforts, authorities found the victims’ bodies approximately 50 meters downstream from where they were last seen.
Rescue teams searching for the victims' bodies
Rescue workers cleaning a wild pond to search for the victims (Photo: M. Tho).
According to initial reports, on the afternoon of February 3rd, four young men aged 22-23, residents of Tan Phu Commune (Chau Thanh District), went to the Tien River to swim and gather water hyacinths. While swimming across a submerged culvert leading into a nearby pond, three of them were sucked into a strong whirlpool and disappeared. The fourth man, Le Minh Hung (23 years old), attempted to rescue his friends but was unsuccessful. He then promptly reported the incident to the authorities.
The high tide, strong currents, and dense coverage of water hyacinths made the search challenging. It wasn’t until the afternoon of February 4th that the authorities could locate the victims’ bodies. The bodies of the three teenagers have since been handed over to their families for funeral arrangements.
This tragic event once again serves as a reminder of the hidden dangers associated with swimming in rivers, particularly in areas with complex currents and submerged culverts. It is hoped that through this incident, people will raise their awareness and adhere to safety regulations when participating in aquatic activities.
