On 15/8, at approximately 2h, Thanh, a resident of Cuong Gian village, Co Dam commune, went to the sea area near Nghi Xuan district to rake clams. By 6h, after bringing 7 kg of clams from Xuan Thanh beach ashore, he drove his motorbike a few kilometers to Dan Hai beach to continue his work.

Thanh (left) after swimming back to Dan Hai beach. Photo: Hung Le

As the tide rose, large waves unexpectedly swept Thanh about 7 km from his initial location. While drifting at sea, he spotted several fishing boats in the distance and tried to shout for help, but no one heard him.

At around 16h that same day, after approximately 10 hours adrift, Thanh managed to swim back to the coast of Dan Hai commune, suffering from thirst and extreme exhaustion. Local residents discovered him, helped him onto the dike, gave him water, and provided care.

Thanh's health has since stabilized. The 45-year-old recounted that when the big waves struck, he realized he could not fight them and decided to let himself drift freely, then sought a way to swim back to shore. "When I was 7 km from shore, I swam back towards the north," he said.

Dan Hai beach, where Thanh was swept by waves while catching clams. Photo: Hung Le

Hoang Van Ha, Vice Chairman of Co Dam commune, stated that local residents had earlier found Thanh's motorbike and clam-raking tools on Dan Hai beach and reported them. Authorities launched a search operation in various areas but found no trace of him.

"When they saw the victim swimming ashore, many people came to his aid, offering him water," Ha said, adding that this morning, local officials visited Thanh's family to offer support.

Thanh, who has a wife and two children, works daily raking clams to earn a living, support his family, and ensure his children's education. His clam-raking trips typically begin at 2h and he usually returns between 9-10h the same day.

For the past two days, the Ha Tinh sea area has experienced rain and high waves.

Duc Hung