On May 4, the Waterway Management Center (under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport) issued a quick report on the waterway accident that occurred on the Soai Rap River.
Accordingly, at 9:20 p.m. on May 2, SG-76xx barge was operated by Mr. L.V.N. (47 years old, residing in District 7) was driving, carrying about 900 tons of rocks on the Soai Rap River, and collided with the Hai Dang 68 cruise ship (Vietnamese nationality, captain is Mr. V.V.T., 37 years old, residing in Nam Dinh) anchored in the No. 7 buoy area, Hiep Phuoc Commune, Nha Be District.
The collision caused the barge to puncture, the water overflowed, causing the vehicle to be overturned, drifting about 500m from the original position. A crew on the barge is Mr. L.V.H. (49 years old, District 7) falls into the river and is currently missing. Meanwhile, the 68 lighthouse does not record the damage. All the stones on the barge about 900 tons also fall into the river.
The initial cause was determined to be due to the barge losing control while moving from the Binh Khanh ferry area to Hiep Phuoc commune to deliver goods.
Despite the serious incident, waterway traffic on the Soai Rap shipping route is still guaranteed. Currently, functional units including Hiep Phuoc Border Guard Station, Ho Chi Minh City Maritime Port Authority and Phu Xuan Waterway Police Station are coordinating to search for missing people.
