After many hours of intense searching, fishing boats operating near the scene and rescue forces rescued all 55 crew members on the Da Nang fishing boat that caught fire and sank in the middle of the sea. The fishermen are now being taken to other vessels to ensure safety.
At noon on December 17, according to a quick report from the Da Nang Border Guard, the rescue work of the QNa-91917-TS fishing boat burned and sunk at sea by Da Nang fishermen has had positive results. All 55 crew members on the boat in distress were rescued safely by fishing boats at the scene.
At 8:15 a.m. the same day, through an exchange with the authorities, Mr. Huynh Dinh Tinh (from Quang Ngai province) - captain of fishing boat QNg-95454-TS, one of three fishing boats directly participating in the rescue - said that the fishing boats present at the scene had rescued all crew members of the fishing boat in distress.
When the rescue ship approached the scene, the QNa-91917-TS had completely sunk. The crew drifted at sea and were quickly supported by surrounding fishing boats to board the boat, according to Mr. Huynh Dinh Tinh.
Fishing boat QNg-95454-TS is mobilely approaching other fishing boats in the incident area to receive the crew members of the QNa-91917-TS, in order to concentrate forces, making it convenient for health care and traveling to the mainland. It is expected that at around 1:00 p.m. on December 17, the QNg-95454-TS ship will arrive at the area to receive the crew members in distress.
The Da Nang Border Guard Command also actively supported and instructed the QNg-95454-TS ship to take crew members to the Da Nam island area, in the Truong Sa Special Zone to provide medical, food and provisions.
Previously, as Lao Dong reported, at around 1:00 a.m. on December 17, fishing boat QNa-91917-TS captained by Mr. Huynh Van Anh (residing in Nui Thanh commune, Da Nang city) was operating seafood exploitation in the sea more than 535 nautical miles southeast of Son Tra peninsula when it suddenly caught fire and sank. On board were 55 crew members, forced to jump into the sea to escape.
Immediately after receiving the report, the Da Nang City Border Guard promptly notified and mobilized fishing vessels operating near the area, coordinating with the Coast Guard and the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center to deploy emergency rescue.
