On May 11, 2025, rescue teams in Binh Duong province continued their search for 36-year-old Vo Van Phoi, who is feared to have been swept away by floodwaters following heavy rain on May 10. Despite efforts throughout the night, authorities reported no success in locating Phoi by the morning of May 11.
The situation began to unfold on the morning of May 10 when heavy rain fell across Binh Duong, causing widespread flooding. Around 8:00 AM, Phoi, who worked as a backhoe operator, went to a construction site at the Cai stream project in Phu Chanh ward, Tan Uyen city, to check on his equipment. His colleagues noticed his absence by noon and began searching for him.
Upon arriving at the construction site, they found Phoi's motorcycle parked by the canal but could not locate him. Fearing that he had been swept away, they reported the incident to local authorities. Before disappearing, Phoi had sent a video clip to his colleagues, but they were unable to reach him afterward.
As the rain continued, it became the heaviest recorded in Ho Chi Minh City in nearly eight years, leading to severe flooding that impacted traffic and daily life. Numerous roads were submerged, and many vehicles were damaged. The flooding prompted a coordinated response from the Fire and Rescue Police of Binh Duong, local police, military personnel, and volunteer groups, all working together to expand the search area.
By the evening of May 10, the search efforts had not yielded any results. Authorities expressed their determination to find Phoi, with plans to mobilize additional resources to enhance their search efforts. As of late on May 10, no casualties had been reported, but the damage was significant. Infrastructure, including roads and buildings, had suffered from the torrential rain. Reports indicated that a 30-meter section of a company's fence collapsed, taking down three power poles along route 76 in My Phuoc ward, Ben Cat city. Additionally, the road from DH-604 to DH-605 experienced severe erosion, with subsidence affecting a stretch over 10 meters long and 3-4 meters deep.
Local residents faced significant disruptions, with many areas experiencing deep flooding that affected their daily routines. In some cases, people had to navigate through flooded streets, with reports of individuals swimming to reach their destinations. The heavy rains also caused landslides in certain locations, further complicating the situation.
As the weather forecast indicated more adverse conditions in the coming days, officials urged residents to remain vigilant and take precautions against further flooding. The ongoing search for Vo Van Phoi remains a priority for local authorities, who are committed to bringing closure to his family and friends.
The community has rallied together, with many expressing their hopes for Phoi's safe return. As the search continues, the resilience of the people in Binh Duong is evident as they cope with the aftermath of the flooding and support one another during this challenging time.
