Lam Dong (VNA)🃏 – The body of a Belarusian backpacker who went missing while swimming near Pongour Falls, a popular tourist spot in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, was found 7 metres deep in the water on February 29 morning.

Bandarenka Viktar, 26, was seen walking alone toward the falls on February 28 afternoon without having paid an entrance fee, said Vi Van Hanh, deputy director of the Pongour Falls complex operator – Dat Nam Ltd. Co. The visitor left his rucksack on the edge of the falls and walked down toward a dangerously deep pool for a swim, Hanh said. The tourist allegedly slipped and drowned shortly after entering the cold water, despite immediate rescue efforts from a group of picnic-goers from the southern province of Dong Nai. He also noted that the victim had drunk alcohol prior to the tragedy. Pongour Falls tourist complex is designed for sightseeing only, not adventure activities, so visitors are not provided safety gear at the entrance, Hanh explained. The complex operator promptly started a rescue operation with local authorities after the accident was reported. However, it was difficult to access the location and due to cold weather, the victim’s body could not be recovered until the next day. The provincial authority will soon return his body to the Consulate of Belarus in Ho Chi Minh City for further investigation. The 40-metre-high Pongour Falls, also known as Bay Tang Falls, is located in Tan Thanh commune, Duc Trong district, 50 kilometres from Da Lat.-VNA