Dong Nai teen missing after drowning at Hóa An quarry

A 19‑year‑old man, H.N.K., from Biên Hòa in Đồng Nai province disappeared on 22 July while swimming with friends at the Hóa An stone‑quarry lake. He initially swam near the shore, then moved about 20 m out before shouting for help as he began to sink. The deep, cold water prevented the friends from rescuing him, and local authorities also avoided entering the lake without proper equipment.

His family hired professional divers who began a search that afternoon. Despite several hours of repeated dives, the young man was not recovered by 5 p.m. The quarry, previously warned for safety hazards, lacks adequate fencing and has wide, unguarded paths that lead directly into the deep water, allowing residents, including students, to enter freely.

The incident underscores ongoing concerns about public safety at the Hóa An quarry, where protective barriers have deteriorated and official oversight has been limited.