Скачать или смотреть Lao NEWS on LNTV: Rescue teams end search for missing children.3/6/2015

VO Rescue teams searching the Nam Ngum river in Pakngum district, Vientiane end search for missing children
INTRO: Rescue teams searching the N am Ngum river in Pakngum district, Vientiane, on Tuesday the 2nd of June ended their search for three children still missing after the boat they and their classmates were travelling in capsized on May 26.
STORY: The teams had been scouring the river for eight days. However, local authorities said they and local villagers would continue the search until the children were found.
Divers recovered seven bodies from the river last week after the makeshift ferry turned over soon after leaving Nabong village for the opposite riverbank. The bodies were returned to the village temple where funerals took place over the last few days.
The boat was carrying 40 people, of whom 35 were primary school children who were crossing the river to take their final year exams at a school in Thakokhai village. Also on board were the skipper and four teachers.
Ten of the children are feared to have drowned while the other people in the boat survived because they could swim or were helped ashore. The children's bodies were found 2-5km downstream from the spot where the boat capsized.
It is believed the ferry capsized because it was overloaded and the skipper was negligent in carrying so many people. The boat had the capacity to comfortably carry 10-20 people.
Commenting on the tragedy, members of the public said it was essential that all ferry boats around the country are equipped with life jackets and that passengers are made to wear them.
Other issues that need addressing are the overloading of small boats and the lack of safety inspections.
According to the The Chief of Nabong village, the children's families have been given assistance by the authorities for their funerals, saying “The assistance provided to each family was decided through negotiations. businesses, organisations and various donors had provided various forms of assistance, including food, beverages and cash for the bereaved families.
Anyone who w ishes to make a donation can ask for more information by calling 020 23374372.