Recently, many tourists and locals were swept away by waves while swimming at Ong Dia Stone Beach, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province and drowned.
Most recently, at noon on September 15, two male tourists went swimming in the sea and were swept away by the waves. One tourist managed to swim to shore, the other was swept away by the waves, and when he was pulled ashore and given first aid and taken to the emergency room, he died.
Previously on August 8, a tourist from Dong Nai swam out to save a relative who was swept away by waves in the same location and drowned. When he was rescued, the relative had already died.
According to the coast guard here, they have saved many people and tourists who were swept away by the waves near the stone embankment. Since the beginning of the year, they have been able to rescue about 10 people to safety.
"When the waves roll close to the embankment, it is very difficult for the rescue boat to approach because the waves will hit the boat and cause it to break," the rescue worker added.
According to the reporter's observation, at Ong Dia Rock Beach, many warning signs of "underwater whirlpools" and "areas where swimming accidents may occur" in Vietnamese and English are placed in front of the paths leading to the beach. There are canoes and lifeguards at the beach, but this is a rescue team at a tourist area near this beach. During their work, this team also helps remind tourists at Ong Dia Rock Beach when swimming far away or not to swim on days when the sea is rough. At the same time, this team also observes the beach, if any tourists drown, they will assist in rescue.
Mr. Huynh Thanh Truc - Deputy Manager of Ham Tien - Mui Ne Tourist Area said that this location has black flags, buoys and warning signs on the shore but some locals and tourists still ignore it. There have also been cases of tourists getting drunk and swimming, leading to drowning.
In addition, there is a black flag at the location where drownings often occur, but the flag is constantly broken by some fishermen who go by boat, causing the base to float away. Some even cut the buoy rope. When it is lost, it is placed again and then lost again. Some surfers even secretly cut the buoy rope to avoid getting entangled.
According to records, along the roadside of this beach, there are also security forces at the parking facility, so when the waves are big, they also remind tourists not to swim in the sea.
Ong Dia Stone Beach is located along the tourist road to Ham Tien - Mui Ne and the resorts, so it attracts many tourists to stop and take pictures and even go swimming. Although there are many warning signs, many drowning incidents still occur. Local people may know that there is a "black spot" at the beach and swim far away, but tourists from far away cannot know.
Therefore, the locality also needs to have more solutions and continue to improve signs and warning signs to enhance safety for tourists, minimizing tragic drowning accidents for tourists.
