At around noon on July 10, authorities in Nam Nung Commune said a mass drowning had occurred in the area, claiming the lives of five sixth-grade students from Nam N'Dir Secondary School.

According to preliminary information, at about 10 a.m. the same day, a group of eight students from Quang Ha Hamlet in Nam Nung Commune went swimming at the Y Thinh Reservoir in Dak Pri Bon, Nam Nung Commune.

While swimming, five of the girls reportedly lost their footing and drowned. The three remaining children, who were on the shore, ran back to the village to alert adults and call for help.

However, by the time local authorities and residents reached the scene, all five victims had died.

The victims were all members of the Dao ethnic group, and their families are classified as being in especially difficult economic circumstances.

Local authorities and residents are now appealing for donations to help the families cover funeral expenses.

Nguyen Xuan Danh, chairman of the Nam Nung Commune People's Committee, told VietNamNet that most of the victims' parents work away from home. Following the incident, the local government sent officials to visit the bereaved families, offer condolences and assist them with funeral arrangements.

The Y Thinh irrigation reservoir is used for agricultural irrigation and has a surface area ranging from 20 to 50 ha, with water depths varying between 2 and 10 m depending on the season.

Authorities said warning signs prohibiting swimming have been installed at the reservoir, and local officials have repeatedly used loudspeaker announcements to remind families to supervise their children.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.

Hai Duong - Xuan Ngoc