The Government Office has issued a directive from Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh, calling for urgent action to address the consequences and prevent future risks following a tourist boat fire in Quang Ninh on 27/2.

The Deputy Prime Minister instructed the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province to direct its functional forces to fully focus on managing the fire's aftermath. This includes ensuring tourist safety, providing health care, and offering timely psychological and property support. Additionally, the province must promptly investigate the cause of the fire and hold violating organizations and individuals strictly accountable.

As part of the directive, all tourist boats operating in Ha Long Bay must undergo immediate safety and technical inspections. Any vessel failing to meet established safety standards will have its operations suspended. The results of these inspections and actions must be reported to the Prime Minister by 3/3.

A tourist boat caught fire in Ha Long Bay on the afternoon of 27/2. *Photo: Xuan Hoa*

The fire occurred on the afternoon of 27/2, when the Signature QN-7269 boat unexpectedly caught fire near Co Cave. All 28 foreign tourists, including nationals from the United States, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, India, and Portugal, along with two Vietnamese guests and 11 crew members, were safely evacuated from the vessel.

Quang Ninh province has coordinated with relevant embassies and the Immigration Department to facilitate the re-issuance of passports and emergency travel documents for tourists who lost their papers. The company owning the boat has provided initial support of 5 million dong per person and committed to covering all medical expenses for the affected tourists.

Le Tan