The victims receive first aid. — VNA/VNS Photo

KIÊN GIANG — Four fishermen have died of asphyxiation after being trapped in a fish storage locker of a vessel off southern Kiên Giang Province on Tuesday.

According to the provincial border soldiers, the vessel was owned by a local fisherman and had 11 fishermen on board.

On Tuesday morning, some of the crew went down to the fish storage locker and fainted.

Others went down to rescue the victims and also fainted.

The five victims were rushed to the provincial general hospital. Only one is now alive and undergoing treated.

Initial investigation showed their deaths were caused by fumes in the locker, which had been used to store a large amount of seafood over a long time.

Local authorities are investigating the case. — VNS