Khamphan : “Brother drowns saving sibling in Mekong”

Two siblings faced a heart-wrenching tragedy while playing in the Mekong River, resulting in the older brother losing his life in a heroic attempt to rescue his drowning younger sibling.

The devastating incident unfolded on the Nong Khai side of the river, where the lifeless body of the brave older brother was discovered. Authorities swiftly coordinated with the family in Laos to confirm the identity of the victim.

At 9am today, Surirat Pitakkulrak, Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Wiang Khuk Police Station, received a distressing report of a body found floating in the Mekong River near Wiang Khuk Subdistrict, Nong Khai Province. Accompanied by Chalerm Lepol, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Mueng Nong Khai Police Station, and rescue teams, they rushed to the scene.

Upon arrival, officials retrieved the body of a young boy wearing a green and red striped T-shirt and black shorts. The nine-year-old Laotian boy was tragically identified as the older brother who had sacrificed his life to save his sibling.

Khamphan, the boy’s uncle in Laos, recounted the harrowing incident that took place on May 27. The two brothers were innocently playing by the river when the younger sibling began to struggle in the water. Without hesitation, the older brother jumped in to rescue him, but both boys found themselves in perilous circumstances.

Fortunately, nearby adults intervened and managed to save the younger brother, but the strong river currents proved to be too much for the heroic older brother. Despite frantic search efforts, his body could not be located.

During the search operation, the family in Thailand was contacted and urged to keep a vigilant eye on the river. Eventually, Khamphan received heart-wrenching news from relatives that a body had been discovered. Upon verification, he confirmed the tragic loss of his nephew.

With the victim’s identity confirmed, police instructed the family to prepare the necessary documentation for repatriating the body to Laos for traditional funeral rites, as reported by Khaosod.

This devastating incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with playing in natural bodies of water, particularly for children. Authorities emphasize the crucial role of parental supervision and the need to educate children about the risks posed by rivers and other water sources.