On the evening of 29/5, the Vinh Long Border Guard, in coordination with relevant agencies, expanded the search for two missing victims following the ship's incident.

Yesterday afternoon, a dry cargo ship registered in TP HCM, carrying 11 crew members, was anchored approximately 10 nautical miles (nearly 20 km) off the coast of Truong Long Hoa ward, Vinh Long province, when a gas cylinder exploded, leading to a fire and subsequent sinking.

Rescue forces brought distressed crew members ashore for emergency care. Photo: National Steering Committee for Civil Defense Office.

Upon receiving the report, the Vinh Long Border Guard initiated a search and rescue operation, deploying personnel and two fishing boats. They successfully rescued nine crew members, bringing them safely ashore. Among them, seven injured individuals were transported to a hospital.

Subsequently, authorities continued the search, mobilizing an additional 8 fishing boats and other vessels operating nearby to help locate the two missing individuals.

Today, the National Steering Committee for Civil Defense Office requested the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center; the Civil Defense Command of TP HCM, Can Tho, and the provinces of Dong Thap and Vinh Long; the Border Guard General Staff, the Navy, and the Vietnam Coast Guard to coordinate and implement rescue support measures.

These forces have mobilized more search vessels within a radius of two to five nautical miles from the incident site, while also notifying other ships operating at sea to assist.

The specialized SAR 413 vessel, on standby in TP HCM, was also dispatched to the scene to participate in the rescue efforts.

An Binh