On the afternoon of Wednesday 4th April, the former President of Laos, Choumaly Sayaxone, was on a boat cruise with his family on NamNgum lake, 50km from Vientiane capital. A violent storm suddenly came upon the lake, capsizing the boat and throwing the whole 39 people into the water, some being stuck inside the boat’s cabin. Alongside with Vientiane Rescue team, Laos Assistance sent several scuba divers to help retrieve victims from the lake. A total of 31 people were saved, while 8 drowned tragically. #presencematters