Two tourists have gone missing after being swept away by flood during a trekking tour at a national park near Da Lat, a popular resort city in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.
The accident took place on Sunday afternoon at the Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park in Lac Duong District, Lam Dong Province, about 32 kilometers north of Da Lat City, Le Chi Quang Minh, vice-chairman of the Lac Duong People’s Committee, confirmed.
The two missing victims are Le Thi Quynh Tr., 28, and Nguyen Thi Ha M., 31.
They were among a group of 64 visitors who participated in a trekking tour organized by the national park.
The group started their journey on Sunday morning and were on their way back when the incident occurred.
As they were crossing Long Lanh Stream on a suspension bridge, a flood swept through the area, washing away the bridge along with four of the trekkers.
A bridge crossing over Long Lanh Stream is washed away by flood at the Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park in Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, November 29, 2020. Photo: Duc Tho
Two of them were able to hold onto a tree branch, and later climbed up the tree to avoid the strong current.
They were eventually brought to safety after rescuers arrived at the location.
Meanwhile, Tr. and M. were nowhere to be found following the incident.
Search and rescue units are currently looking for the two victims.
The rescue effort was halted on Sunday night and resumed on Monday morning, but rescuers are facing immense challenges brought by torrential rain.
Prior to the accident, Lam Dong Province was battered by heavy downpours from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon, which resulted in rising water levels along local rivers, streams, and lakes.
Flash floods also occurred at some other river sections and streams in the area.
This article was originally published on Tuoitre