On 27/2, Lao Cai Provincial Police announced that the investigative police agency had initiated criminal proceedings and temporarily detained Nguyen Van Tham, 42, from Cam Nhan commune, to investigate violations of waterway traffic regulations under Clause 3, Article 272 of the Penal Code.

Previously, the passenger boat captain, Trieu Van Noi, was also temporarily detained on the same charges.

Police working with Nguyen Van Tham. Photo: Police provided

Initial investigations revealed that Tham was assigned by Marble Vietnam Mineral Joint Stock Company to captain a stone transport boat. Around 5 p.m. on 21/2, Tham, along with chief engineer Nguyen Manh Cuong, departed from the gathering point in Mo Quan village, Cam Nhan commune, on Thac Ba Lake. The boat was heading to the wharf of Yen Binh Cement Joint Stock Company.

Around 6 p.m., as dusk settled and light fog appeared, visibility became limited. Although Tham had activated navigation and warning lights, he failed to turn on the headlights, sound signals, or position lookouts at necessary points on the vessel, as required by regulations.

At 6:45 p.m., while the boat was in the area of Lang Can village, Bao Ai commune, Tham spotted an oncoming passenger boat, captained by Noi, ahead. Both captains attempted to maneuver their vessels to avoid a collision.

However, due to the close proximity and poor visibility, the port side of the passenger boat's stern collided with the port side of the stone boat's ferry blade. The impact caused the passenger boat to capsize, resulting in six deaths.

Authorities determined that Noi, the passenger boat captain, had operated a motorized boat carrying an excessive number of passengers, with 22 people on board where the limit was 12. He also used a lower-powered vessel but failed to yield to a higher-powered vessel, violating inland waterway traffic laws and causing severe consequences.

Noi's boat, built in 2019 in Yen Bai, featured a steel hull, measured over 13 meters in length, and had a 49 horsepower engine. Its inspection certificate was valid until 23/3/2026. The boat was authorized to operate in bays, rivers, canals, lakes, and lagoons. According to its certificate, the vessel could carry a maximum of 12 people and a total load of 1,2 tons. It was required to have at least two lifebuoys and 16 life jackets. Regulations prohibited its operation during storms, at night, or in limited visibility. It was also forbidden to carry more than the specified number of passengers, and 100% of people on board were required to wear life jackets upon departure.

The stone boat involved in the accident. Photo: Police provided

Earlier on the afternoon of 21/2, the 5th day of the Tet holiday, Hoang Van Long, 48, along with his children and grandchildren, rented a boat to travel across Thac Ba Lake to the old Yen Bai city for a housewarming celebration. This was the first time Long's family and relatives had gathered in such numbers to charter a private boat for an outing. Traveling by boat across Thac Ba Lake shortened the journey time by approximately one-half compared to road travel, making it the most efficient way for the group to complete their trip within the day.

After the housewarming meal, around 4 p.m., 21 people started their return journey. The group occupied two rows of seats lining both sides of the boat. The vessel was approximately 7-9 meters long and two meters wide, with an engine mounted at the stern and a compartment for passengers. It had a covered roof and open windows on both sides for passengers to enjoy the scenery. Life jackets were available on board, but only some children wore them.

After two hours of travel, as dusk approached, the boat was involved in the accident, leading to the tragic incident.