Five teenage girls drowned after swimming in an irrigation reservoir in Lam Dong Province on the morning of July 10, local authorities said.
According to a preliminary report from the People's Committee of Nam Nung Commune, the victims were among a group of eight 12-year-old girls who had gone swimming at Y Thinh Reservoir in Dak Pri Bon, about 3km from their homes.
The reservoir, which covers more than 20 hectares, is used for agricultural irrigation and has water depths ranging from two to 10 metres depending on the season.
Residents and emergency workers gather at Y Thinh reservoir, where the drowning accident occurred (Photo: An Sinh).
While swimming, five of the girls reportedly entered a deep section of the reservoir and were swept underwater.
The three girls who had not yet entered the water immediately ran to seek help from nearby adults. However, by the time emergency responders and local residents reached the scene, all five victims had died.
Following the incident, Nam Nung Commune authorities mobilised local police, military personnel and residents to search the reservoir. The bodies of all five girls were recovered by midday.
Residents arrive at the scene to search for the victims (Photo: An Sinh).
Nguyen Xuan Danh, chairman of the Nam Nung Commune People's Committee, said Y Thinh Reservoir serves as an irrigation source for Dak Pri Bon and is located among residential areas and farmland.
He added that the tragedy occurred during the school summer holiday, when the children had gone out together while their parents were working in nearby fields.
