A view of Xuân Thủy National Park in northern Nam Định Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Vũ Sinh

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội's Department of Education and Training has reminded parents of the risks of organising trips to dangerous locations after an adult and child were drown at Xuân Thủy National Park in northern Nam Định Province.

The department has also requested schools review safety issues when organising extracurricular activities for students. Schools should regularly remind students about safety issues during summer vacation.

The Nam Từ Liêm District’s Education and Training Office reported that on May 20, a group of about 50 visitors, including parents and students from a private school located in Tây Mỗ Ward, Nam Từ Liêm District, arrived as part of a travel programme to Xuân Thủy National Park in Nam Định Province.

During the journey, a boat took the group to a sandbank between the Red River and the Trà River, allowing students to experience clam catching.

When the children reached the sandbank, the water was shallow. However, soon the water began to rise.

As it was a sandy area, the rising water and changing currents caused the sandbank to erode, sweeping the students away with the water.

A boatman threw life jackets, however, due to the rapidly rising tide, one student and one parent were swept away.

With the assistance of local fishermen, the provincial border guard forces found the bodies of the two victims.

Local authorities have temporarily suspended the operation of Xuân Thuỷ National Park until further notice.

After the incident, the leaders of the Giao Thủy District People's Committee visited the families of the two victims.

Nguyễn Xuân Mạnh, chairman of the People's Committee of Giao Thiện Commune, said most of the group visitors contacted the boat owners and service providers for excursion and experiential activities without informing the management board of the national park.

Mạnh said these boats were licensed to operate. Tourists searched for information online, made contact, and signed contracts with them.

A representative of the Xuân Thủy National Park Management Board also confirmed to VTC News online newspaper that this group of visitors did not register their visit.

The boat owner was only informed at around 10am on May 20.

The representative said that all boat owners had been instructed that swimming was prohibited in the area.

As usual, the boat owners anchored at a safe area for visitors to have recreational activities, the representative said, adding that the safe area was approximately 500 metres away from the accident site. — VNS