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At least eight are dead in Laos after a yacht carrying ex-President Choummaly Xayasone capsized during a storm Sunday as he and the former first family returned from a gathering at a luxury hotel in Vientiane province.
Among the eight confirmed victims were former first lady Keosaiychai Xayasone and former Vientiane province Gov. Vidong Xayasone—the wife and son of Choummaly Xayasone, who served as president from 2006 to 2016. The former president was among the 31 survivors.
The accident occurred at about 8 a.m. in the middle of the Nam Ngeum reservoir. Xayasone and his family had just left a family event at the nearby Chinese-owned-and-operated Dansavanh Resort and Casino.
Rescue teams were able to save 31 of the vessel’s estimated 39 passengers and crew and recovered eight bodies, according to field reports from the Foundation for Assisting Poor People of the Lao PDR (1623), the rescue organization serving Vientiane. The province also confirmed the accident and death toll.
The Vientiane Times quoted Vientiane province governor Khamphanh Sitthidampha, who explained that the boat capsized some 40 meters (43.7 yards) from the reservoir bank “due to severe weather conditions including a thunderstorm and strong winds.”
“After the accident occurred, the relevant bodies from the central and local governments, as well as rescue teams, rushed to assist. By 4:30 p.m. we were able to transport the 31 survivors to the hospital, but there were eight who died of the estimated 39 people on board,” the governor said.
Reported by RFA’s Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
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