On the evening of 19/7, the Nguyen Ngoc tourist boat, carrying 30 passengers and 4 crew members, encountered a storm with heavy rain while squid fishing near Borc island, approximately 0.5 nautical miles (almost 1 km) off Thien Cam beach. Around 7:20 PM, strong waves capsized the boat, forcing everyone on board to jump into the sea. Before sinking, the boat sent a distress signal to the nearest rescue station.
Upon receiving the alert, the Thien Cam Border Guard Station collaborated with local authorities, dispatching two rescue boats and mobilizing nearby fishing boats to the scene. After about 10 minutes, all 34 people were safely rescued.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Khoi, head of the Thien Cam Border Guard Station, reported that due to the high waves and strong winds, authorities couldn't immediately bring the rescued individuals ashore. They had to anchor in place to take shelter. By 12:30 AM on 20/7, the rescue boats brought everyone ashore in stable condition.
The wooden Nguyen Ngoc tourist boat, with a maximum capacity of 40 people, regularly takes tourists 1-3 km offshore from Thien Cam beach for nighttime squid fishing excursions.
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Authorities bring some of the rescued individuals safely ashore, early morning of 20/7. Photo: Hung Le |
Authorities bring some of the rescued individuals safely ashore, early morning of 20/7. Photo: Hung Le
At the same time, storms and heavy rain hit several communes in Ha Tinh, damaging roofs of houses and other structures. High waves and strong winds were reported at sea. In Co Dam commune, 6 small fishing boats anchored near the shore capsized due to the waves. By the morning of 20/7, authorities towed the boats back to shore. Fisherman Hoang Van Minh, 57, who went fishing alone, remains out of contact, and authorities are currently searching for him.
According to the Ha Tinh Hydrometeorological Station, due to the influence of Typhoon Wipha, from 21/7, the sea area of Ha Tinh will experience increasing winds of levels 6-7, with gusts reaching levels 8-9, and waves of 2-4 m. On land, from tomorrow afternoon to 23/7, the western and southwestern circulation of the typhoon will cause widespread rain. Rainfall in the southern region of Ha Tinh is expected to be 50-100 mm, while the northern region may receive 100-200 mm, with some areas exceeding 250 mm.
Also on 19/7, the tourist boat Vinh Xanh 58, carrying 53 people, capsized in Ha Long Bay, nearly 3 nautical miles offshore. By the early morning of 20/7, authorities recovered three more bodies, bringing the total death toll to 38, with 10 rescued and 5 still missing.
Duc Hung
