Two French tourists, including Cindy, were passengers on train SE1, which departed from Hue station on the morning of 18/11. Due to heavy rainfall and severe flooding in the South Central region, the train had to stop and wait at Khanh Phuoc station, Gia Lai, since 19/11. The two passengers needed to reach Ho Chi Minh City to catch an international flight back to France and feared missing their scheduled departure.

Flight attendant Dang Thi Thao, from the Hanoi Railway Crew, coordinated with local railway personnel to find a solution. With roads deeply submerged and the railway line temporarily blocked, staff members used motorbikes to transport the two passengers approximately 60 km by road, from Khanh Phuoc station to Phu Cat airport in Binh Dinh. Navigating through safe routes, they reached Phu Cat airport on time, then continued their journey to Ho Chi Minh City, successfully making their flight back home.

Thao and two foreign passengers stranded on train SE1. Photo: VNR

Cindy stated she received free meals during the two days she was stranded and was diligently assisted to reach the airport on time. "This was truly meaningful," she said.

Sharing her perspective, Thao explained that railway attendants not only serve passengers on the train but also accompany and assist them when they encounter difficulties. She emphasized that any railway attendant or Vietnamese person would act similarly in such a situation.

Many passenger trains are currently waiting at stations in the South Central region. Photo: VNR

Since 16/11, heavy rainfall has caused deep flooding in numerous railway sections through Gia Lai and Khanh Hoa provinces. Landslides from upstream areas also covered the tracks. Da Nang and the eastern parts of provinces from Quang Ngai to Khanh Hoa experienced heavy to very heavy rain, with some areas recording over 160 mm in 8 hours. The Ha Thanh river's water level rose close to alert 3.

Over the past four days, the railway sector has had to cancel many trains on the North-South railway line. Several trains have been waiting at stations for two to three days because both road and rail routes in the South Central region are heavily flooded.

Doan Loan