In the mountainous district of Mường Khương, Lào Cai province, a series of tragic flood-related incidents have recently claimed the lives of three individuals, highlighting the ongoing dangers posed by heavy rains and swift river currents in the region. Over the course of early June 2025, torrential downpours and rising waters led to multiple accidents, prompting extensive search and rescue operations by local authorities and military units.
The most recent discovery came on June 11, 2025, when the body of 31-year-old Vương Đức Hùng was found at the foot of Tả Lâm waterfall, more than two kilometers from the site where he was swept away by floodwaters. Hùng, a resident of the Na Khui residential group in Mường Khương town, had been collecting floating rice seedlings in a stream with his brother on the afternoon of June 8. According to reports from the Mường Khương District People's Committee, the brothers were caught in heavy rain and rapidly rising floodwaters when Hùng slipped and was carried off by the current. His brother, V. Đ. Th., managed to cling to a tree and reach the riverbank, surviving the ordeal with stable health.
Upon receiving the distress call, nearly 200 personnel from various functional forces, including the Mường Khương District Military Command, local government authorities, and disaster prevention and search and rescue teams from multiple communes such as Nậm Chảy and Thanh Bình, were mobilized to conduct a thorough search. The operation involved coordinated efforts to temporarily divert the stream's flow, deploy nets at critical points, and expand the search radius along the waterways. However, the challenging terrain of steep streambeds, dense fog, and continuous rain hampered visibility and accessibility, making rescue efforts particularly arduous.
After several days of persistent searching, the authorities located Hùng’s body at noon on June 11 near the Mã Tuyển residential group, adjacent to Thanh Bình commune. The victim's remains were promptly handed over to his family for burial, marking a somber end to the rescue mission.
Earlier in the month, the region had already suffered losses from similar flood-related incidents. On June 4, a couple from Mường Khương district, Sùng Ỷ T. (born 1998) and his wife Hồ Seo P. (born 1999), went missing while attempting to swim across the Chảy River. Search teams from the Tả Gia Khâu commune People's Committee and other local agencies launched extensive efforts to locate the missing couple. On June 7, the body of a male victim was discovered on the Chảy River within Bản Mế commune, Si Ma Cai district, approximately four kilometers from the initial search area. Subsequently, on June 10, a female body was found near the base of the Si Ma Cai hydropower plant's pillar in Na Măng hamlet, Tả Gia Khâu commune, about 4.5 kilometers from the drowning site.
Family members confirmed that the recovered bodies belonged to the missing couple, Sùng Ỷ T. and Hồ Seo P. Both victims were residents of Mường Khương district. Their remains were returned to their families for funeral arrangements, providing some closure amid the tragedy.
The spate of drownings underscores the severe risks posed by the region’s unpredictable weather patterns during the rainy season. The heavy rains not only cause flash floods but also create dangerous conditions for residents who rely on streams and rivers for agricultural activities such as collecting floating rice seedlings—a vital part of local farming practices.
Local officials have emphasized the need for heightened awareness and caution during such periods. The swift currents and unstable terrain make even routine tasks perilous, and the recent incidents serve as a stark reminder of nature's power in this mountainous area.
Search and rescue teams have been praised for their rapid response and tireless efforts despite adverse weather and difficult topography. Their coordinated use of technical measures such as stream diversion and net deployment, combined with the mobilization of nearly 200 personnel, illustrate the community’s commitment to protecting its members and responding to emergencies.
As families mourn their losses, authorities continue to monitor weather conditions closely and urge residents to avoid risky activities near swollen rivers and streams. The tragic events in Mường Khương serve as a somber call for vigilance and preparedness in the face of natural disasters that frequently challenge this region.
