On the evening of April 5, a vehicle veered off course and plunged into the Hlinebwe river at Kwanphaw ferry port in Durain village, Hpa-an Township leaving the driver unaccounted for, as reported by the Myanmar Social Relief Organization (Hpa-an District).
According to a spokesperson from the relief organization, a Toyota High Ace vehicle experienced a brake failure while descending towards the riverbank for crossing, leading to the unfortunate incident.
"The submerged vehicle was located by the diving team from the relief organization on April 5, around 7:45 pm, and was successfully retrieved by midnight," the spokesperson stated.
As the Hlinebwe river, a tributary of the Gai River, experiences high tides, it is feared that the driver may have been swept away by the strong currents. Efforts to locate the missing individual are ongoing, emphasized the spokesperson.
Local residents noted that the Kwanphaw jetty, providing transportation across the river, is accessible via the route from Hpa-an to Dawlan highway, through Htoekawkoe, and then Myawady.
This incident echoes a similar tragedy from November 4, 2023, when two individuals lost their lives as a Probox vehicle accidentally plunged into the Hlinebwe river while crossing the ferry from Thamat Kwat ferry port in Ywathitkone village, Waekayin village tract, Hpa-an.
