Tragic Boat Accident Claims Child’s Life in Laos
Rescue teams in Laos have confirmed the recovery of a child’s body following a tragic boat accident on the Mekong River. The incident occurred on December 18 when a slow boat struck underwater rocks near the popular Tham Ting Cave, leading to the disappearance of two children. Search operations continue for the second missing girl, as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the sinking.
Details of the Incident
The slow boat, carrying 147 passengers, was en route from Pakbeng district in Oudomxay Province to Luang Prabang City when it struck submerged rocks around 3:45 PM. The vessel, registered under license number 0120 and owned by a local resident, sank approximately 20 minutes after the collision. Investigators have indicated that damaged navigational markers may have misled the boat’s driver, contributing to the accident.
Among the passengers were 118 foreign nationals and 29 Lao citizens, including four crew members. The boat also carried a motorbike and various pieces of luggage, all of which sank with the vessel. On December 22, authorities recovered the body of a woman identified as Pany Her from Khokaek village in Xayyabouly Province, who was traveling with her two children, both of whom were reported missing at the time.
As of the latest updates, one of the missing children has been found deceased, while efforts to locate the second child are ongoing. Officials have not disclosed further details regarding the child’s identity or the circumstances of the recovery.
Investigation and Recovery Efforts
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has confirmed that the slow boat sank after colliding with underwater rocks. An internal report released on December 22 highlighted the role of damaged navigational markers in the incident. Survivors reported that the boat had a limited supply of life jackets, leading to panic as water flooded the vessel. Passengers described harrowing scenes as they attempted to escape, with some handing children to nearby rescue boats before jumping into the river.
Local authorities in Luang Prabang have mobilized boats and cranes to recover the sunken vessel and retrieve belongings. While some passengers have managed to recover their items, most of the luggage initially remained on board. Search and recovery operations are still active, with officials assessing safety conditions along the river route and continuing their investigation into the accident’s causes.
Further updates are anticipated as rescue efforts and the investigation progress, shedding light on this tragic event.
