NGHỆ AN — Five students reportedly drowned in three districts of central Nghệ An Province yesterday afternoon.

In Diễn Châu District, three victims from Diễn Châu Commune’s Primary School, identified as Trần Thu Hương, Class 1C; Trần Việt Hưng, Class 4C; and Trần Thành Trung, Class 5A, drowned while swimming in a local lakeThe area around the lake where the bodies were found is under construction as part of a project to supply clean water to the region. It is located near the headquarters of Diễn Châu Commune’s People’s Committee.

There are no warning signs or barriers posted around the lake, Lao Động (Labour) newspaper reported.

Local authorities visited and offered condolences to the families of the deceased and provided VNĐ5 million (US$223) in compensation to each family.

Meanwhile, in Tân Kỳ District, Trương Thị Huyền, 14, fell to his death, landing in the Vực Tròn stream, while herding buffalo.

Locals said the water level of the stream had risen to high levels, reaching 4-5m, following heavy rains some days ago.

In Yên Thành District, Bùi Thị Thu Trang, a 12th grader, was swept away by the current while washing her sandals in a local lake.

Many cases of children drowning have been reported recently across the country.

Also in Nghệ An Province, last Monday, two children, aged 5 and 6, drowned when swimming in a local river in Kỳ Sơn District.

On May 4, four female students drowned in the ocean off the shore of Khánh Hòa Province.

Earlier, on April 15, nine students from Nghĩa Hà Secondary High School in Quảng Ngãi City drowned in Trà Khúc River. 

This month, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc called on the concerned agencies and parents to strictly enforce his Decision No. 234/QĐ-TTg, dated February 5, 2016, on preventing accidents and injuries among children during the 2016-2020 period.

Under the order, the people’s committees of cities and provinces nationwide are in charge of inspecting facilities for physical training activities for students and placing warning signs in dangerous areas. — VNS