Tragic drowning incidents
According to statistics, from June 18 to now, at least 6 drowning incidents have occurred in Lam Dong province, mainly at rivers, streams, ponds and coastal areas when people spontaneously swim.
Notably, on the afternoon of June 18, in the Da Dang 1 bridge area on the Dong Nai River (bordering Phuc Tho Lam Ha commune and Dinh Trang Thuong commune), a group of 4 people went swimming and were suddenly swept away by the water.
People promptly rescued 1 person, the remaining 3 victims, including father, son and nephew, died.
Immediately after that, more than 100 officers and soldiers of the police, military, rescue forces, along with the government and local people were mobilized to search through the night. By the morning of June 20, the bodies of the victims were found.
Mr. Pham Ngoc Hau - Chairman of Dinh Trang Thuong Commune People's Committee said that the Dong Nai River area is affected by hydropower plants, and the water level changes rapidly.
Although there are warning signs and regular propaganda, people still subjectively go swimming when the water is low, leading to a high risk of accidents when hydropower plants discharge water or heavy rain.
Just one day later, at Dak Nong stream (Nam Gia Nghia ward), another drowning incident occurred, killing 2 brothers while swimming in the stream. On June 26, in Dak Mil commune, 2 more young children (7 and 8 years old) drowned at a self-dug lake in their home garden.
In addition, at the same time, a number of other drowning incidents in the eastern coastal area of the province also killed 3 people.
The common point of the incidents is that the victims all bathed in areas without rescue forces, were not fully warned or were subjective about abnormal changes in the water flow.
According to Mr. Phan Van Quoc - Chairman of Nam Gia Nghia Ward People's Committee, Dak Nong stream has many beautiful landscapes, attracting people and tourists in the summer. However, the stream bed has many deep holes, fast flow, potentially dangerous even for people who know how to swim.
Strong solutions are needed to reduce accidents
Reality shows that although propaganda work is deployed regularly, the compliance awareness of a part of the population is still limited. Many people still bathe in dangerous areas, not complying with warnings.
In addition, the system of rivers, streams, and reservoirs in Lam Dong is dense, the terrain is complex, and many places lack barriers, warning signs, or have not been strictly controlled.
In the summer, children in rural areas often invite each other to bathe in rivers, streams, ponds and lakes without adult supervision. This is a group with a high risk of drowning accidents.
At Da Long stream (Dam Rong 4 commune), every day there are still many groups of children coming to swim, catch fish or play in the water.
Mr. Khong Huu Kien, Chairman of Dam Rong 4 Commune People's Committee, said that in addition to deep water sections, the stream also has underground rocks, rotten branches, whirlpools and strong currents that are very difficult to recognize.
Especially in the rainy season, water from upstream can suddenly flow in, creating dangerous flows, posing an alarming high risk of drowning.
Experts recommend synchronizing many solutions: reviewing and planting warning signs, installing barriers at dangerous points; strengthening inspection and supervision in the summer; and expanding swimming lessons and equipping children with drowning prevention skills.
More importantly, families must strengthen the management of their children, absolutely not allowing children to voluntarily swim in rivers, streams, ponds and lakes when no adults accompany them.
Six drowning incidents with 10 deaths in just one week are not only painful statistics, but also a strong warning about subjectivity and loopholes in accident prevention.
Without drastic solutions and increased community awareness, similar tragedies could continue.
