On the evening of 23/2, Lao Cai Provincial Police announced that the investigative police agency had initiated legal proceedings and temporarily detained Noi, 31, residing in Cam Nhan commune. He is being investigated for violating regulations on operating waterway vehicles, under clause 3, article 272 of the Penal Code.

Trieu Van Noi at the investigative agency. Photo: Police provided

Initial investigation determined that on 21/2, Noi was hired to operate a motorized boat, license plate YB-0876H, carrying 22 people from Yen Binh commune to Cam Nhan commune. As the vessel reached the Lang Can hamlet area of Bao Ai commune, it collided with a rock-carrying boat traveling from Luc Yen commune towards Yen Binh commune.

The collision caused the passenger boat to sink, resulting in six deaths. Police stated that Noi operated the motorized boat carrying an excessive number of passengers, 22 instead of the regulated 12. The suspect, Noi, also used a lower-powered vessel but failed to yield to a higher-powered one, violating the Law on Inland Waterway Traffic regulations and causing severe consequences.

The dock where the boat carrying 22 people departed before being struck by the rock-carrying ferry. Photo: Viet An

Earlier, on the afternoon of 21/2 (the fifth day of Tet), Hoang Van Long, 48, along with his children and grandchildren, chartered a boat to cross Thac Ba Lake to the former Yen Bai city for a housewarming party. This was the first time Long's family and relatives gathered to charter a private boat for an outing. Compared to road travel, crossing Thac Ba Lake by boat cut travel time by about half, making it the best way for the group to complete their trip within the day.

After the housewarming meal, around 16h, 21 people departed. The group filled two rows of seats lining both sides of the boat. The vessel, about 7-9 meters long and two meters wide, had an engine at the stern and a passenger compartment. It featured a canopy above and open windows on both sides for passengers to enjoy the view. Life jackets were on board, but only some children wore them.

After two hours of travel, as dusk settled, the boat accident occurred, leading to the tragic incident.