The incident occurred yesterday on the Truong Nguyen 18 cargo ship, from Hai Phong, while it was anchored off Ca Na commune, Ninh Thuan province, awaiting its turn to enter port for loading. Nearing evening, Mr. Tran Duc Tai, 45, the second engineer, descended into the ship's hold, more than 2 meters deep, to pump out water. When Mr. Tai did not resurface, Mr. Thai Van Thinh, 25, a mechanic, went down to check on him but also did not return, prompting those on deck to alert other crew members for help.

Rescue forces access trapped victims on the cargo ship. *Photo: Khanh Hoa Police*

The rescue team identified five individuals trapped in the hold. Four victims were subsequently brought to the deck and transported to Ninh Thuan General Hospital, located over 30 kilometers from the scene. One person, the ship's cook, remained trapped in the hold.

Firefighting and Rescue Team Area 6, under the Khanh Hoa Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police Department, dispatched seven officers to the scene. Investigators determined the victims were trapped in the ship's water ballast tank, located in the bottom compartment. At the time, this area was flooded, and the lack of oxygen made rescue operations difficult.

Officers initiated pumping operations and used specialized equipment to reach the trapped victims. This morning, the body of the final victim was recovered from the vessel.

Officers reach victims during rescue in the cargo ship's bottom compartment. *Video: Khanh Hoa Police*

The three fatalities were Mr. Tai, the mechanic, and the cook. All three victims were from Nghe An province. The two individuals hospitalized were Mr. Thinh and the 48-year-old captain. According to Mr. Le Huy Thach, Director of Ninh Thuan General Hospital, both are currently stable and conscious.

The cause of the incident is currently under investigation by authorities.

Bui Toan