Dak Lak provincial police said officers successfully rescued two foreign visitors who were swept away by waves and trapped in a narrow rock crevice while swimming at Tien Beach in Hoa Xuan Commune on the morning of January 19.
According to local authorities, the incident occurred at around 7.40 am when a group of four tourists of American, German and Danish nationality, accompanied by a Vietnamese tour guide, travelled from Nha Trang to visit and swim at the beach.
While swimming, Nicholas Theophanous, a German national, and Viled Danisl, a Danish national, were caught in strong waves. Despite shouting for help from people on shore, both were dragged further out to sea and became trapped in a rock crevice about 30cm wide, more than 50 metres from their original position.
The crevice was covered with slippery moss, preventing the victims from climbing out. Rough seas and powerful waves repeatedly slammed them against the rocks, leaving one tourist with a head injury, while the other was unable to move.
Within about five minutes, local police and border guard forces arrived at the scene. However, rescue efforts were initially hampered by strong waves and hazardous terrain.
Rescuers used ropes to allow the tourists to hold on and be pulled to a safe position. The injured victim was placed on a stretcher and taken to a local medical centre for treatment.
