The Thanh Hai Border Post reported that around 7 am, a 17-meter fishing vessel, with 420 horsepower, departed from Phu Hai fishing port. Phan Van Chi, 54, a resident of Phu Thuy ward, owned and captained the boat.

The scene of the fishing boat sunk by a cargo ship off Phan Thiet. Photo: Thanh Hai

The collision occurred approximately 10 nautical miles (nearly 20 km) southeast of Phu Hai beach, sinking the fishing boat after it struck the cargo vessel Viet Thuan 11-07.

A nearby fishing boat, operated by fishermen from TP HCM (formerly Ba Ria - Vung Tau), rescued all 17 crew members. One person, whose identity remains unknown, died in the incident.

Crew members brought the victim's body ashore. The boat owner stayed at the scene, awaiting salvage vessels to recover the sunken boat.

This afternoon, the cargo ship Viet Thuan 11-07 is scheduled to dock at Phan Thiet port to cooperate with authorities in the ongoing investigation.

Tu Huynh