Tourists in Terror: Ferry Capsizes in Laos, Panic Erupts

Tue Dec 23 2025 13:08:50 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A tragic ferry accident in Laos leaves several travelers missing and highlights safety concerns as over 140 passengers scramble for rescue on the Mekong River.

A ferry carrying more than 140 tourists capsized in the Mekong River, leading to a chaotic rescue effort. Witnesses describe scenes of panic, with cries for help echoing as passengers fought for survival. Tragically, two bodies have been recovered, with ongoing searches for others. The incident raises urgent questions about safety measures aboard vessels commonly used by tourists in the region.

It was supposed to be just another Thursday in Laos, where Anthonin'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.

Anthonin, who declined to give his full name, 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 the body of a woman, named Pany Her, had been retrieved from the river. Rescuers then found the body of a one-year-old, who they believe was one of her children. Efforts to find a second child are continuing.

The boat was making its way last Thursday from the riverside town of Huay Xay to the historic city of Luang Prabang in northern Laos, a common route along the Mekong - and popular with visitors to the country.

There were 118 tourists and 29 locals, including four crew, on board the boat when it struck underwater rocks, according to an official report carried by the Laotian Times.

Within minutes, the ferry began to sink.

The [crew] were just totally unprepared for that. There was a lot of confusion... it happened really, really fast, Anthonin said.

He also remarked on the lack of safety equipment available, stating that only about 15 lifejackets were present onboard.

As the boat continued to capsize, passengers shouted to a passing boat for help, but it did not stop - possibly because it was relatively small.

The second one did stop and take in passengers, however, United Kingdom tourist Bradley Cook described how this briefly made the situation worse as people shifted weights, further compromising the stability of the ferry.

Some passengers managed to climb over to the rescue ferry, while others swam for it or hung onto the rails, eventually being pulled up by those on the rescue vessel. Both Anthonin and Mr. Cook were fortunate to be among those rescued.

As the rescue unfolded, another passenger, Gabrielius Baranovičius, initially made light of the situation but quickly realized the seriousness as the ferry began to sink. After climbing onto the rescue vessel, he quickly shifted focus to helping others in distress.

This latest tragic incident adds to a concerning pattern in the Mekong River, recalling a previous sinking in September 2023 that resulted in three fatalities.