Le Xuan Thuan, chairman of the People's Committee of Truong Xuan commune, Dak Song district (now part of Lam Dong province), identified the victims as Dang Y Khoi, 13, an 8th grader at Le Quy Don Secondary School, and his brother, Dang Y Tuyen, 6, who was about to start 1st grade. They lived in the N'Jang Bo hamlet of Truong Xuan commune.

According to local authorities, three children from the hamlet set out that afternoon to fish at the Dak Rung reservoir in the Ding Plei hamlet, more than 2 km from their homes. Around 3:30 pm, after fishing, one child returned home while Khoi and Tuyen followed on an electric bicycle.

While going downhill around a bend near the dam, the bicycle suddenly plunged into the deep reservoir. When the brothers didn't return home, their family and neighbors began searching. Their bodies were recovered later that afternoon, but they were already dead.

The victims' family is impoverished. The Truong Xuan commune authorities visited the family, provided 4 million VND in support, and organized a local donation drive to help cover funeral expenses.

Tu Huynh