Around 5:15 p.m., a fishing boat suddenly erupted in fierce flames at Tam Quan Port. Due to a broken anchor line, the vessel drifted towards the mechanical and shipbuilding workshop of Hoai Nhon Seafood Joint Stock Company in Thien Chanh neighborhood. This drift caused the fire to spread rapidly to several other fishing boats.

A series of fishing boats are burning at Tam Quan Port. Photo: Provided by residents.

Hot weather and strong southerly winds, combined with the fact that the boats were made of wood and contained a lot of fuel, intensified the blaze. By 8:40 p.m., seven fishing boats, each 20-24 meters long, had been completely destroyed by fire. The flames continued to spread to one more boat, bringing the total to eight vessels affected.

Around 9 p.m., the fire was still not under control and continued to threaten surrounding anchored vessels. Authorities and residents worked to extinguish the fire while moving nearby boats to limit further damage. According to residents, many boat owners were at sea or absent, complicating efforts. Low tide also made towing vessels difficult.

The burnt boats were primarily high-value seine fishing boats and tuna longliners. Initial damages are estimated at tens of billions of dong.

Nguyen Van Hoa, Chairman of Hoai Nhon Bac Ward People's Committee, stated that local authorities are concentrating efforts to control the fire.

Tam Quan fishing port is one of the large fishing ports in the South Central Coast region, located at the mouth of Tam Quan estuary. The anchorage area spans about 70 hectares, with pier E nearly 300 meters long and pier D over 160 meters long.

Kim Thi