Cargo ship sinks in East Sea
HAI PHONG — Twelve sailors remained missing after a Vietnamese cargo vessel sank in the southern area of East Sea yesterday, the Viet Nam Maritime Search and Rescue Co-ordination Centre reported.
Cargo ship Van Don No2, carrying 23 crew, sank at around 2.58am in the East Sea. Eleven of the crew were rescued, including two seriously injured, by two fishing boats from the southern province of Kien Giang.
The 6,900 DWT cargo vessel, was heading from Malaysia to HCM City when it ran into trouble and sank.
The exact cause of the sinking is still unknown.
The Viet Nam Maritime Communication and Electronics Company has sent urgent message to vessels operating in the area to give assistance to find missing crew.
Vung Tau Maritime Search and Rescue Co-ordination Centre has dispatched a rescue boat but rough seas and a strong gale have hindered their efforts.
High seas and gusting winds were initially blamed for the accident.
According to the centre, the cargo vessel belonged to the Quang Ninh Sea Transport, Import & Export Joint Stock Company, based in the northern city of Hai Phong. — VNS