Ferry Capsizes in Central Vietnam Floodwaters, All 10 Aboard Rescued Safely

All 10 people aboard a ferry that capsized on a surging river in Nghệ An Province, central Vietnam, have been safely rescued. The incident occurred around 4 PM on September 16, when the Hội Nguyên River in Yên Hòa xã experienced a rapid rise and strong currents due to water flowing from upstream. A team from the xã was using a motorboat to transport 10 individuals from the vicinity of Trung Thắng bridge to villages further inland. As the boat neared the shore, its rear became entangled with a rope connected to a pulley system, causing the vessel to tilt and sink. All 10 occupants fell into the water. Fortunately, all individuals were wearing life jackets, allowing them to stay afloat and cling to the rope, preventing them from being swept away. Police and military personnel on duty nearby immediately responded, bringing each person ashore. Within approximately 5 minutes, all 10 people were safely rescued. The boat was also retrieved from the roughly 20-meter-wide section of the river. Mr. Đậu Đức Truyền, Chairman of the Yên Hòa xã People's Committee, stated that the locality has temporarily suspended ferry services due to the continued rise and strong flow of the water. In cases of emergency medical transport or other urgent situations, the xã will arrange for safe transportation. The Trung Thắng bridge was previously the main artery connecting the xã center with its inland villages. In October 2025, the bridge was washed away by floods, isolating over 300 households, approximately 1,400 people. The locality subsequently erected a temporary bridge for residents and students. However, this temporary structure was again damaged by floods in late August, forcing the xã to deploy a team to transport people by boat. Due to the small size and limited carrying capacity of the boats, travel has been difficult, especially during peak times. Once the water recedes, the xã plans to reconstruct the temporary bridge to serve residents while awaiting the completion of the new Trung Thắng bridge, which is under construction with an estimated cost of 34 billion VND (approximately $1.4 million USD). Heavy rains over the past two days have caused widespread flooding in many areas of Nghệ An, cutting off transportation. According to a report on the morning of September 16, National Highway 48 was submerged by about 30 cm in Thái Hòa ward and 40 cm in Đông Hiếu xã. Across the province, 101 houses were flooded to depths of 0.6-2 meters, and 45 households have been evacuated to safety. Several residential areas and roads in Quỳnh Lưu and Hoàng Mai districts also experienced 30-50 cm of inundation, forcing residents to find alternative routes.