According to the local police, on December 29, 2013, Nguyen Binh Khiem junior high school organised a sea trip for 96 students to the Can Gio Beach on the outskirts of HCM City.

After lunch, a group of students went swimming and were washed away by strong currents.

The bodies of seven boys were found days later.

According to Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper, the school tried to make a compensation deal with the families of the deceased students but failed to do so. Four out of seven families refused to accept any compensation from the school.

This was followed by long negotiation efforts, which explains why it took up to 18 months to bring the case to trial.

Police are investigating the negligence on the part of individuals who were responsible for the safety of the students. 

VNS