On the afternoon of September 29, 2025, the quiet communities in Đà Nẵng were shaken by the confirmation of two tragic discoveries. After days of exhaustive searches, local authorities and residents finally located the bodies of two men who had gone missing in separate but equally harrowing incidents just days prior. The news, confirmed by officials and widely reported by sources such as Người Lao Động and Nhân Dân, has left families grieving and communities reflecting on the unpredictable dangers of nature in the region.
The first incident occurred on September 27, 2025, at around 4:30 p.m. Mr. Lương Văn Kh., a 27-year-old resident of thôn 3, xã Khâm Đức, attempted to swim across the Nước Mỹ river near the boundary between thôn Lao Đu (xã Khâm Đức) and thôn 6 (xã Phước Hiệp). What should have been a routine crossing quickly turned perilous. According to Người Lao Động, Mr. Kh. was swept away by a sudden, forceful current. Immediate search efforts were launched, with local authorities and residents scouring several kilometers of the riverbank, but the fast-moving water and treacherous conditions hampered any hope of a swift recovery.
For two days, the search teams—composed of both professionals and volunteers—battled the elements. Heavy rainfall and the release of water from a nearby hydroelectric station caused the river’s level to rise, complicating the operation. Yet, as the rain subsided and the hydroelectric plant reduced its water discharge, the river’s level began to drop. On September 29, searchers focused their efforts closer to the original site of the accident. Their persistence paid off: Mr. Kh.’s body was found approximately 20 to 30 meters from where he disappeared. The somber discovery brought closure to his family, but also a heavy pall to the entire community.
Meanwhile, another search was unfolding in the forests and mountains near xã Thạnh Bình, a story that began even earlier. On the morning of September 25, Mr. Ngô Minh Th., a 62-year-old resident of thôn 6, xã Thạnh Bình, set out with his companion, Mr. Phạm Hóa, to search for wild bee nests in the mountainous terrain of thôn 5. The two men split up, agreeing to meet at a designated point. However, when Mr. Hóa arrived at the meeting spot, Mr. Th. was nowhere to be found.
Concerned, Mr. Hóa searched for his friend but to no avail. By midday, he returned home and alerted Mr. Th.’s family. The news spread quickly, prompting both relatives and neighbors to mobilize. According to reports from Nhân Dân and Sài Gòn Giải Phóng, local authorities were soon involved. By September 27, more than 60 people—including police, rescue teams, and residents—were combing the dense forest, calling out and searching every ravine and ridge.
The search, however, was fraught with challenges. Torrential rain battered the region on September 28, raising fears of landslides and making the terrain even more hazardous. Search efforts were temporarily suspended due to the inclement weather, as safety became a paramount concern. Despite these setbacks, the determination of the searchers never wavered. On the morning of September 29, as the weather cleared, dozens of people resumed their search, venturing deep into the forested area bordering xã Thạnh Bình and xã Sơn Cẩm Hà.
At approximately 1 p.m., the search party made a heartbreaking discovery. Mr. Th.’s body was found in a remote section of the forest, deep within the territory of xã Sơn Cẩm Hà, near the boundary with xã Thạnh Bình. The find ended days of uncertainty for his family, but it also underscored the dangers faced by those who venture into the region’s rugged wilderness, especially during the rainy season.
The two incidents, though separate, are united by a thread of tragedy and the unwavering spirit of the local communities. Both search operations involved not just official rescue teams but also ordinary citizens, friends, and relatives who braved difficult conditions to bring their loved ones home. As Người Lao Động reported, "Local authorities and residents conducted search efforts along several kilometers of the river for two days without success." Similarly, Sài Gòn Giải Phóng detailed how "local authorities mobilized over 60 people including local forces and residents to search from September 27 onward." These efforts highlight the communal bonds that persist even in the face of adversity.
For many in Đà Nẵng, the events serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable power of nature. Rivers that appear calm can quickly become deadly, especially after heavy rains or changes in water management upstream. Mountain forests, while beautiful and bountiful, can become labyrinths in bad weather, turning a simple outing into a life-threatening ordeal. These risks are well-known to locals, but even experience and caution can sometimes fall short.
The tragedies have spurred conversations about safety and preparedness. Some residents and officials are calling for increased signage and public awareness campaigns near river crossings and popular forested areas, especially during the rainy season. Others suggest that local authorities should coordinate more closely with hydroelectric plants to provide timely warnings about water releases that could affect river levels downstream. While these discussions are ongoing, the immediate priority remains supporting the families affected by these losses.
As the region mourns, there is also a recognition of the resilience and solidarity displayed in the face of hardship. The willingness of so many to drop everything and join the search speaks volumes about the values that underpin these communities. In times of crisis, neighbors become search partners, and strangers become friends, all united by a shared sense of responsibility and compassion.
Though the outcomes of the searches were not what anyone had hoped for, the efforts of local authorities and residents ensured that both families could lay their loved ones to rest. The stories of Mr. Lương Văn Kh. and Mr. Ngô Minh Th. now join a long history of challenges faced—and overcome—by the people of Đà Nẵng. Their memories, and the community’s response, will linger long after the headlines fade.
