On the evening of 10/4, Le Thi Quynh Chi, 17, from Nghi Loc commune, was walking with friends at Cua Lo beach in Cua Lo ward, Nghe An. A 14-year-old male student, swimming at the time, was swept far out by waves and struggled in the strong current.

Seeing this, Chi swam out to help, battling waves to reach the struggling student. She managed to guide him closer to shore, but she soon became exhausted. The waves then swept her further out, and she gradually sank.

Rescue teams quickly reached both students, bringing them to shore. The male student received first aid and was taken to the hospital, where he is now out of critical condition. Sadly, Quynh Chi passed away.

Officials from the Cua Lo Ward Public Service Center stated that the sea experienced strong waves and currents at the time of the incident. Quynh Chi was a high school student in the Nghi Loc area.

Cua Lo beach, afternoon 11/4. Photo: Duc Hung

Cua Lo beach, afternoon 11/4. Photo: Duc Hung

Later that day, Cua Lo beach saw another tragic incident. Around 16h20, Vo Hoang Thanh, a 10th-grade student from Nghi Loc 3 High School, spotted three individuals struggling in a rip current. He quickly grabbed a life buoy and plunged in, successfully bringing two people to shore. However, one person tragically died.

In recent days, Nghe An has experienced its first seasonal heatwave, leading to a surge in beachgoers, particularly in the afternoons. Authorities have advised residents to avoid swimming during periods of large waves or sudden weather changes to mitigate the risk of drowning.

Cua Lo beach, located over 10 km from Vinh City and over 300 km from Hanoi, is a popular tourist destination in Central Vietnam, welcoming millions of domestic and international visitors each summer.

Duc Hung