VietNamNet Bridge - Bathing in the Sre Pork hydroelectric reservoir after school, five sixth grade students were swept into a deep hole but only one kid could escape.

The reservoir where the accident occured.

At about 11 am today, May 14, after school, about 20 students of class 6A of Ho Tung Mau Secondary School in Buon Don District, Dak Lak Province went to the reservoir of Serepok 4 hydropower plant.

Several students jumped into the reservoir to swim and were swept into a deep hole. Other students saw the incident so they jumped into the reservoir to rescue their friends. At least five children were submerged.

Locals fished out the bodies of four students, including three boys and one girl, all 12 years old. Another student is being treated at a local hospital.

Mr. Huynh Quang, Vice Chair of Buon Don district, confirmed that four kids were drowned and all of them were fished out. The bodies of the victims were handed over to their families.

In the latest news, the fifth victim – a female student – is out of danger. She can drink milk now.

Sre Pork River is the largest river in Dak Lak’s river system and is the important water resource in the province. However, the river is becoming more aggressive and changing due to deforestation in the upstream area and along the riversides. There are also a lot of hydroelectric power plants on the river.

PV