On February 28, 2025, the bodies of two sixth-grade students, Đỗ Như Quang and Trịnh Văn Quốc Toàn, were recovered after a tragic drowning incident on the Chu River. This heart-wrenching event unfolded the previous day as the boys played near the river, prompting local authorities, including the Civil Fire and Rescue forces of Thanh Hóa Province, to mobilize for search efforts.
The incident began around 2:30 PM on February 27, when ten students from THCS Xuân Tín were on break and decided to go to the river's edge near the floating bridge between Xuân Hòa and Xuân Tín communes for some leisure time and photos. The two victims jumped in for what they thought would be harmless fun, but it turned fatal when Quang slipped under the water. His friend, Quốc Toàn, bravely jumped in to try to save him, resulting in both boys becoming trapped and swept away by the strong currents.
Local authorities, upon receiving the emergency call at 3:18 PM, immediately launched search operations. The team faced significant challenges due to adverse weather conditions, including freezing temperatures, deep and swirling waters of the river, which complicated retrieval efforts. According to reports from local media, more than 100 people from the community joined rescue teams to help look for the boys throughout the night.
The relentless search bore fruit early on February 28 when authorities found Quang's body approximately 200 meters downstream from where he had entered the water. About five hours later, Quốc Toàn’s body was also recovered, located 150 meters from the initial spot where both students had drowned.
"Mực nước sông Chu đã xuống, song có nhiều vụng xoáy, nhiều khúc chảy xiết nên công tác cứu hộ gặp nhiều khó khăn," said Nguyễn Văn Đàn, Chairman of Xuân Tín Commune, providing insight on the challenges faced during the operation. The swift response and tireless efforts of first responders and volunteers from the local area were commendable, yet the nature of the river posed severe risks, highlighting the dangers present at such water bodies.
The local community has expressed immense sorrow over the loss of the young boys, who were beloved members of their families and friends. There is now renewed awareness of the need for water safety measures, particularly for children who may not fully understand the dangers of playing near fast-moving water.
The devastating event shines light on the importance of educating kids about the risks of swimming and wading near rivers, particularly those with strong currents and unpredictable depths. It also emphasizes the role of communities coming together to support recovery efforts and grieve as one.
Local officials are urging families to keep their children away from unsafe water environments and are considering initiatives to improve water safety measures and education throughout the region. While too late for Quang and Quốc Toàn, these measures might help prevent such tragedies from occurring again.
Families across the area are mourning, yet they are also pushing for change to avert repeating this heartbreak. The search and recovery operations not only brought closure to the victims' families but also instilled a sense of urgency within the community about the need for vigilance around water safety. Indeed, it's not just about recovering lost lives; it's about ensuring safety for future generations.