On the morning of 13/7, Nguyen Viet Thanh, Chairman of Sa Huynh Ward People's Committee, confirmed that search efforts were continuing for the missing boy. Authorities have mobilized 10 fishing boats and approximately 50 personnel to scour the waters off Thach By 2 beach in Sa Huynh ward, Duc Pho town, Quang Ngai province.

Residents await news of the search for victims. Photo: Provided by residents

The tragic incident occurred around 5 p.m. yesterday when Le Thi Cho, 60, and Bui Thi Tam, 65, took their 5-year-old grandson to the beach. While swimming, the boy was suddenly swept away by powerful waves. Both women immediately rushed into the water to rescue him but were also overcome by the strong currents and drowned. Their bodies were recovered more than an hour later.

Local authorities reported that the accident took place near a breakwater, a hazardous area exacerbated by recent rough sea conditions. The combination of large waves and complex currents is believed to have swept the child away, causing him to collide with the breakwater before disappearing.

The Quang Ngai Provincial Search and Rescue Center has deployed over 30 officers and soldiers. They are working in coordination with approximately 50 local military personnel, police, and militia to locate the missing boy.

The sea off Quang Ngai has experienced continuous turbulence in recent days, a direct consequence of a storm and a low-pressure system. This incident follows a near-tragedy on 11/7, when a father and his two children from Ha Noi were also swept away by waves while swimming at My A beach in Tra Cau ward. Fortunately, rescue teams managed to bring them safely back to shore.

Pham Linh