A group of Da Nang’s leaders, led by municipal People’s Committee (PC) Vice Chairman Dang Viet Dung, recently visited the family of 7-year-old Trinh Kim Phuong and her brother 4-year-old Trinh Kien Huy in Thai Nguyen Province and offered incense to them. 

These children were 2 of the 3 passengers who drowned after the Thao Van 2 trip boat capsized on the Han River on the evening of 4 June.

On behalf of the city leaders, Vice Chairman Dung expressed his deepest and most sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.  He also passed on a condolence letter written by municipal Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Xuan Anh to the family of victims.

Vice Chairman Dung offering incense to the dead children

Vice Chairman Dung emphasised that, as soon as possible after the capsize, the city authorities did their utmost to instigate search and rescue activities to minimise the number of casualties.  He also vowed that the city leaders would tighten their management of river tourism to make sure that such a horrific tragedy never happens again, and that the offenders involved will be put on trial very soon.

In reply, representatives from the family of the dead siblings said that they were very angry about the illegal operation of the trip boat.  They urged the city’s leaders to ensure that strict punishments are imposed on any other persons found negligent or in part responsible for this serious incident.  They also remarked that the kind concern shown by the city authorities over recent days has helped to ease the deep sorrow of the family.  In particular, 50 million VND from the municipal PC, 10 million VND from the city’s Traffic Safety Board, and 20 million VND from local businesses have been given to the family of the siblings.

Vice Chairman Minh at Cuong’s house

In a similar vein, another group from Da Nang, led by municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh, offered incense to 47-year-old Pham Tan Cuong from Binh Dinh Province who also lost his life in the trip boat accident.  Vice Chairman Minh gave another condolence letter from Secretary Anh to Mr Cuong’s family, and remarked that Mr Cuong’s death was a huge loss to his wife and children.

He also pledged that Da Nang’s Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs would work closely with the Binh Dinh Province authorities to give necessary assistance to the Cuong family.  His wife, Vo Le Thi Hao, said she hoped that the city leaders would take stronger measures to more effectively manage the local river tourism, with a focus on dealing with the illegal operation of local trip boats which may threaten the safety of passengers onboard and blight the city’s popularity. 

Vice Chairman Minh presented 20 million VND from the municipal PC, 5 million VND from the city’s Traffic Safety Board, and 10 million VND from local businesses to the family.