Freshman found dead after being swept away by floodwaters in Hanoi

The body of a first-year student from Hanoi University of Mining and Geology was recovered on the morning of September 18 after he was swept away by floodwaters in Dong Ngac Ward, Hanoi.

According to initial information, the victim, who was from Ninh Binh Province, was found near a drainage outlet flowing into the Nhue River beneath Vien Street Bridge, more than one kilometre from where he was believed to have fallen into the water.

The incident occurred around midday on September 17 when the student was riding a motorbike along Vien Street. Upon reaching a section of road heavily flooded by persistent rain, he was reportedly swept into a drainage system and went missing.

The area was deeply inundated at the time, with little traffic passing through, and no one was present to assist or raise the alarm.

Later, after floodwaters began to recede, local residents discovered a motorbike bearing a Ninh Binh registration plate near a drainage opening. They subsequently attempted to locate the owner and alerted authorities.

Police in Dong Ngac Ward, together with other emergency response units, launched an overnight search operation after receiving the report.

Witnesses said the road where the incident occurred was in poor condition and frequently flooded during heavy rainfall. Dense vegetation surrounding the drainage outlet also complicated search efforts.

Some local residents said the student had only recently moved to the area for his studies and may not have been familiar with local roads and flood-prone locations.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A representative of Hanoi University of Mining and Geology confirmed that the victim was a first-year student in the Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. The university coordinated with authorities throughout the search operation.