It was supposed to be just another Thursday in Laos, where Anthonin Levelu's father was born. Instead, the 30-year-old French citizen found himself among more than 140 people, mostly tourists, on a ferry that capsized in the Mekong River. All but three are thought to have made it to safety.
Videos online show a scene of chaos—people screaming for help, children crying and passengers scrambling to get their belongings. Mr. Levelu recalls seeing a mother and her two children on board the ferry—but they were nowhere to be seen on the rescue boat.
On Monday, Lao media reported that they had found the body of a woman, named Pany Her. Rescuers are still looking for her two children.
The boat, making its way from Huay Xay to Luang Prabang, struck underwater rocks, causing confusion and panic among passengers. Witnesses noted the crew's unpreparedness—there were only about 15 lifejackets available.
Both Mr. Levelu and another passenger, British tourist Bradley Cook, managed to escape, but they were deeply affected by the sight of others left behind. Cook described how the chaos worsened when a rescue boat arrived, leading to more shifting and water entering the sinking ferry.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of safety regulations needed on vessels operating in tourist areas, as many people rely on the ferry services along this popular route. This isn't the first incident of its kind; another similar capsizing was reported earlier this year, emphasizing site-specific risks in the region's waterways.
Videos online show a scene of chaos—people screaming for help, children crying and passengers scrambling to get their belongings. Mr. Levelu recalls seeing a mother and her two children on board the ferry—but they were nowhere to be seen on the rescue boat.
On Monday, Lao media reported that they had found the body of a woman, named Pany Her. Rescuers are still looking for her two children.
The boat, making its way from Huay Xay to Luang Prabang, struck underwater rocks, causing confusion and panic among passengers. Witnesses noted the crew's unpreparedness—there were only about 15 lifejackets available.
Both Mr. Levelu and another passenger, British tourist Bradley Cook, managed to escape, but they were deeply affected by the sight of others left behind. Cook described how the chaos worsened when a rescue boat arrived, leading to more shifting and water entering the sinking ferry.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of safety regulations needed on vessels operating in tourist areas, as many people rely on the ferry services along this popular route. This isn't the first incident of its kind; another similar capsizing was reported earlier this year, emphasizing site-specific risks in the region's waterways.
