The Binh Thuan Provincial Police recently issued a decision to temporarily suspend the criminal investigation into the drowning of a Japanese boy at Centara Mirage Resort Mui Ne in Phan Thiet City. The decision was made because the investigation period has expired without the results of the requested expert assessment and judicial assistance.

Background of the case

Hanawa Yukiji, a Japanese citizen, was preparing to enter a new school year when his mother, Ms. Huynh Thi Anh Thu, discussed with her husband, a Japanese expert, to take their child on a trip before school started. Ms. Thu, her son, and a group of friends then traveled to Phan Thiet and stayed at Centara Mirage Resort Mui Ne, located on Huynh Thuc Khang Street in Phan Thiet City.

On April 5, 2022, at around 10:35 AM, while playing in the children's swimming pool area at the resort, Hanawa Yukiji and three other children noticed Yukiji being sucked into the suction mouth of the swimming pool, which was covered by a square net.

Despite being 1.4 meters tall and the pool being only about 1 meter deep, the strong suction force caused Yukiji's back and arms to be sucked tightly against the metal plate, submerging his head underwater.

Despite immediate attempts by fellow swimmers to rescue him, Yukiji could not be freed from the net. Three additional men eventually managed to pull him out, but by then, he was drowning and his heart had stopped. Despite efforts by the resort staff and doctors, Yukiji passed away.

Legal proceedings

Following numerous petitions from Ms. Thu calling for an investigation into her son's death, the Phan Thiet City Police prosecuted the case on May 31, 2022, for "Involuntary manslaughter due to violation of professional rules."

In January 2023, the investigation was temporarily suspended due to the expiration of the investigation period and the absence of a response from the Ministry of Public Security's Institute of Criminal Science regarding the pressure (in the form of suction force) of the lazy pool.

The investigation resumed but was suspended again in July 2023, with the Phan Thiet City Police concluding that the death did not involve a crime, citing forensic examination results that the pool's operating principle could not have caused the boy's death. They determined Yukiji's death was due to an accident while using the pool.

Disagreeing with this conclusion, the victim's family continued to petition, arguing that Yukiji died due to being sucked into the metal mesh under the pool, and that the case, involving foreign elements and complex evidence collection, should be handled by the Binh Thuan Provincial Police.

In February 2024, the investigation resumed, and the Binh Thuan Provincial Police took over the case. The investigation is currently suspended pending further results.

Thanh Phuong