– 30 October 2025
Vietnam – Annette Herfkens, a Dutch businesswoman, survived a devastating plane crash in Vietnam in 1992, in which all other passengers and crew onboard perished. Alone in the wilderness and seriously injured, Herfkens endured eight days before rescue, a story of extraordinary resilience and survival.
The Trip That Turned Tragic
Annette Herfkens had been on vacation in Vietnam with her partner, Willem van der Pas, known as Pasje. The couple had been close since their university days in 1979, sharing a dormitory and building a deep friendship that eventually blossomed into love. By 1992, both had established careers: Annette worked in finance in Madrid, Spain, while Pasje had taken a banking position in Vietnam.
They were flying from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang, a coastal destination popular among tourists. The flight, aboard a small Soviet-made Yakovlev Yak-40, was scheduled to depart at 7 a.m. Unfortunately, severe weather over the rugged, forested terrain of Vietnam caused the aircraft to crash into a remote mountain area. The impact killed all 30 passengers and crew, including Pasje.
Alone in the Wilderness
Severely injured, Annette Herfkens found herself alone in the jungle with limited mobility and no immediate access to medical help. She suffered extreme dehydration and emotional trauma, compounded by the loss of the man she loved. The physical pain was compounded by profound grief and shock, as she grappled with the sudden reality of losing everyone onboard.
Her situation was dire. For days, she struggled to find water and food, barely able to move due to her injuries. Survival seemed uncertain.
A Glimmer of Hope
On the sixth day, with her strength waning, Annette spotted a person in orange clothing at a distance. Summoning the last of her energy, she called out and was eventually rescued. Her ordeal in the forest had lasted eight days, a period that tested both her physical endurance and mental fortitude.
Aftermath and Recovery
The experience left lasting scars, both physically and emotionally. Annette slowly recovered from her injuries, but the trauma of losing her partner and fellow passengers stayed with her. The crash marked a pivotal moment in her life, shaping her perspective on survival and resilience.
A Love Story Cut Short
Annette and Pasje had shared a close bond for over a decade, maintaining a long-distance relationship as their careers took them across Europe and Asia. Their planned vacation in Vietnam was meant to be a joyful retreat, a chance to spend time together after years apart. The tragedy transformed what should have been a happy journey into a harrowing survival story.
Legacy of the Incident
The crash of the Yak-40 in Vietnam remains one of the most tragic aviation accidents involving foreign tourists. Annette Herfkens’ survival is often highlighted as one of the most remarkable stories of human endurance, a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Her story has inspired many, illustrating the fine line between life and death and the extraordinary capacity of a single individual to endure unimaginable circumstances.
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