A 40-year-old Malaysian woman was rescued after falling into a 10m-deep abandoned mining hole while hiking in Da Lat, Vietnam, and spent about 90 minutes trapped before rescuers pulled her out.
The incident occurred at 5.45am on 25 Oct in the Hon Bo mountain area of Lam Vien-Da Lat ward in Lam Dong province, NST reported, citing the Vietnam News Agency.
The woman, identified by her initials G.S.W., fell into the hole, which measured about 70cm across and is said to be part of a disused mining site. Others in her hiking group tried to pull her out but could not, and local authorities were called in to mount an emergency operation.
Rescuers erected a support frame over the opening and lowered a team member on specialised ropes into the narrow shaft, according to VietnamNet. Police from Lam Vien-Da Lat ward worked with the Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue Police Division of the Lam Dong provincial police, which sent rescue personnel and an ambulance to the scene.
She was brought to the surface at 7.15am and taken to Lam Dong General Hospital for emergency treatment. Initial reports indicated an injury to her right ankle, and she received first aid at the scene before the transfer to hospital.
Hon Bo Mountain, near Thai Phien flower village, is a popular destination for hiking, cloud hunting and photography, drawing both residents and tourists. It offers views towards the centre of Da Lat, particularly in the early morning.
Authorities advised visitors to take care when exploring mountainous areas and to avoid hiking alone where the terrain and potential hazards are unfamiliar. The advice included choosing safe routes, travelling in groups and informing family members of planned itineraries in advance, with fog and rain noted as conditions that can reduce visibility. The ward police received the report shortly after the fall and coordinated the response with provincial units.
Spontaneous hiking and sightseeing in the area can pose safety risks, especially for visitors who do not know the local terrain. The hole was left behind by mining work that stopped long ago, and its opening is narrow enough that a fall leaves little room to climb out.
Da Lat, the capital of Lam Dong province, sits in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. The rescue drew on ward police, provincial rescue officers and local forces, with the woman brought to the surface about 90 minutes after the alarm was raised. Her condition beyond the ankle injury was not immediately stated.
