A fishing vessel brought victims ashore after the ship Ngọc Tuấn 01 sank off Quảng Trị Province. - Photo news.zing.vn |
QUẢNG TRỊ — One person has died after a ship carrying 44 passengers from Cửa Tùng harbour to Cồn Cỏ Island in central Quảng Trị Province sank on Tuesday morning.
The Ngọc Tuấn 01 cargo ship was transporting construction materials when water flooded the vessel, causing the ship to sink 5 nautical miles from the island.
The sea was calm at the time of the incident, but the sky was very dark, according to Lê Minh Tuấn, chairman of Cồn Cỏ island district People’s Committee.
Tuấn told local newspapers that 43 people had been rescued from the sinking ship, and were now safe on the island. Related agencies are now investigating the cause of the incident.
At the time, a local border guard unit and three fishing boats travelling near the site helped to rescue the victims.
The unit head affirmed that a 53 year old female passenger had died, and her body was transferred to shore for funeral preparations. — VNS