‘Only 15 Life Jackets’: Survivors Recount Chaos of Laos Ferry Disaster
A tourist ferry capsized in Laos's Mekong River, leaving at least two dead. Survivors describe the chaotic rescue and a shocking lack of life jackets—only 15 for over 140 people.
What was meant to be a scenic boat trip down the Mekong River in Laos turned into a scene of chaos and panic last Thursday, after a tourist ferry carrying over 140 people capsized. The incident, which left a mother and her young child dead with another child still missing, has raised serious questions about safety standards. Survivors recount a terrifying ordeal where there were far too few life jackets for the number of passengers on board.
“It Happened Really, Really Fast”
The ferry was traveling from Huay Xay to the historic city of Luang Prabang, a popular route for visitors. According to an official report cited by the Laotian Times, it was carrying 118 tourists and 29 locals when it struck underwater rocks. Within minutes, it began to sink.
“The [crew] were just totally unprepared for that. There was a lot of confusion,” said `Anthonin`, a 30-year-old French citizen who was on board. “What was, you know, puzzling and alarming is that there were very few life jackets, around like, 15 life jackets maximum... it was really bad.” As the boat went down, passengers screamed for help at a passing boat, but it didn't stop.
A Desperate and Dangerous Rescue
A second boat did stop, initiating a frantic rescue effort. However, the arrival of help briefly “made it worse,” according to British tourist `Bradley Cook`, 27. He told the BBC that as the rescue boat approached, passengers rushed to one side of the sinking ferry, causing it to take on water even faster. People scrambled onto the roof to jump across, while others swam for it and were pulled from the water.
While most were rescued, the tragedy’s human cost soon became clear. `Anthonin` recalled seeing a Lao mother, `Pany Her`, with her two children on the ferry, but couldn't find them on the rescue boat. Lao media later reported that the bodies of Ms. Her and her one-year-old child were recovered from the river. The search for the second child is ongoing. “Some people were crying, panicking. It was a mess,” `Anthonin` said.
This incident highlights a critical issue in rapidly growing tourist destinations: safety infrastructure often lags far behind the economic boom. Tens of thousands use these river routes annually, yet basic safety measures like an adequate supply of life jackets or trained crews for emergencies appear to be lacking. It’s a stark reminder that the allure of adventure travel can sometimes mask significant, preventable risks.
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