Eight die in pleasure boat capsize on Sunday

Eight people drowned when a pleasure boat capsized on Sunday morning during a trip on Nam Ngum Lake - a popular tourist spot in Vientiane province, which borders on the capital Vientiane. The boat was carrying 39 people and capsized at about 9am after being hit by a storm, which passed through northern and central Laos during the weekend, according to a local source. The boat capsized about 40 metres from the shore. Members of the family of a former leader were reported to be among those on board. Thirty-one people have been rescued. Central and local authorities rushed to the scene to carry out a rescue operation, the governor of Vientiane province was quoted as saying by the Lao News Agency. "All of the rescued passengers have been taken to hospital," the governor said. The bodies of the eight people who drowned have been recovered.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update April 4, 2021)