Search and rescue forces have mobilised boats and divers to join the search for victims of the helicopter crash. VNA/VNS Photo

QUẢNG NINH – A third body has been recovered after a helicopter crashed in the Hạ Long Bay area on Wednesday night. It has been confirmed as the pilot of the aircraft.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has ordered authorities to increase their search efforts to find the two people still missing.

On Wednesday evening, the Bell-505 helicopter, owned by the Northern Vietnam Helicopter Company under the Vietnam Helicopter Corporation (Army Corps 18), was taking four Vietnamese tourists sightseeing over the bay in Quảng Ninh Province when it got into difficulties.

On Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang signed a Prime Minister’s dispatch ordering the Ministry of National Defence to investigate into the incident, review all flight control procedures, fix shortcomings and ensure utmost safety for flights.

The ministry has also been told to support the family of the pilot, Colonel Chu Quang Minh. The other people on board have been named as Hồ Tá Lực, Nguyễn Thị Hội, Hồ Thị Oanh, and Phạm Thị Bê.

The National Committee on Incident and Disaster Response, Search and Rescue is requested to follow up search and rescue activities, mobilising forces and vehicles for the work.

Meanwhile, the Chairmen of Hải Phòng City and Quảng Ninh Province are asked to coordinate with the Ministry of National Defence during search and rescue activities and support families of the people on board.

They have also called on any vessels in the area to assist in the search.

At the same time, the Ministry of Transport is directed to provide support in forces, vehicles and necessary equipment for search and rescue activities.

On Wednesday night, the Traffic Police Department sent two working groups with 21 officers and three vessels to the site to search for the remaining victims.

On Thursday morning, more than 200 people and 30 vehicles of all kinds were mobilised for search and rescue activities.

The aircraft took off at 4:56pm from Tuần Châu Island, Quảng Ninh Province, but lost contact with air traffic control at 5:15pm.

At 7:18pm, rescuers found two bodies and debris believed to be from the helicopter at the edge of the shore, at coordinates 20°51'51.2''N-107°01'13.4''EE. — VNS