The body of the deceased crew member is brought back to Phú Hải Port in Lâm Đồng Province on Monday afternoon. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — A crew member has died after a fishing vessel sank following a collision with a cargo ship while en route to fishing grounds about over 18.5km southeast of the entrance to Phú Hải Port on Monday morning in Lâm Đồng Province.

Thanh Hải Border Guard Station, under the provincial Border Guard Command, said that the fishing vessel BTh 98379 TS departed the port at around 7am on Monday.

The 17.1-metre vessel, powered by a 420-horsepower engine, was carrying 17 crew members when it was struck by the southbound cargo ship Viet Thuan 11-07.

The fishing vessel was owned and captained by Phan Văn Chi, 54, a resident of Phú Thủy Ward, in the province.

The collision caused the fishing vessel to sink.

All 17 crew members were rescued by the fishing vessel BV 93303 TS, owned and captained by Phạm Văn Tiến, 45, of Phước Hải Commune, HCM City.

One crew member was confirmed dead, although the victim's identity has yet to be established.

After rescuing the crew, the fishing vessel BV 93303 TS transferred 16 people, consisting of 15 survivors in stable condition and the deceased crew member's body to the fishing vessel BV 90703 TS, captained by Trần Văn Lai, 50, for transport ashore.

Meanwhile, vessel owner and captain Chi remained at the accident site to oversee the sunken vessel.

At around 2pm on Monday, the fishing vessel BV 90703 TS safely brought the rescued crew members back to the port.

The cargo ship Viet Thuan 11-07 proceeded to the anchorage outside Phan Thiết Port, where it will work with the relevant authorities to determine the cause of the collision.

Immediately after receiving the report, the border guard station alerted nearby vessels to assist with the rescue operation.

The unit also deployed personnel to work with local authorities in visiting the victims' families to assess the situation and provide support to those affected by the accident. — VNS