Doan Tan Buu, deputy chair of the Dong Thap People’s Committee, on January 4 told the press that Thai Ly Hao Nam died after being stuck in the pillar for four days due to multiple trauma, lack of oxygen and a low temperature.

According to Buu, at first, the rescue team tried to maintain oxygen for the boy. However, authorities on the site, after considering various factors, confirmed late yesterday afternoon that Nam had died after 100 hours of unsuccessful rescue attempts.

With the confirmation, the rescue team is now focusing on recovering his body as soon as possible for burial.

Prior to that, on December 31, 2022, Hao Nam and three friends of his entered the Roc Sen Bridge site in Thanh Binh district to collect scrap iron. Nam fell into a 35-meter-deep concrete pillar with a diameter of 25 centimeters.

At first, after discovering the accident, his father and local authorities planned to drop a rope into the pillar so that the boy could climb up. However, the solution was ineffective because the diameter of the concrete pillar was too small and the boy could not put the rope on him. 

Local authorities then decided to bring water to keep him alive.

Professional rescuers arrived at the site, and pumped water and oxygen to the pillar, but did not hear any response. The Engineer Corps of Army Zone No 9 also came with specialized tools to join the rescue effort.

An official told VietNamNet that agencies and specialists suggested 10 solutions to ‘run against time’ to rescue Nam. The solution chosen was pulling up the concrete pillar in a vertical direction. After that, the rescue team would be able to cut through the pillar to rescue Nam.

However, all the attempts failed.

Thai Van Tan Tai, 40, and his wife Nguyen Thi My Linh, 34, the parents of Nam, have been sleepless over the last nights, hoping their son would be saved in a miracle. Informed by the local authorities that Nam had died, Linh said she just hopes the body of her son can be found soon.

Buu said that rescuers will find Nam’s body by any means and as soon as possible.

Asked about the responsibility the contractor of the work has to take, Buu said authorities are focusing on rescue activities, while the responsibility of relevant parties will be considered based on the law.

Dam De - Hoai Thanh