On July 13, information from the An Giang Provincial Department of Tourism said that the Department had a report of information about the tourist canoe sinking incident of Minh Huy PQ Tourism Co., Ltd. sent to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and the Provincial People's Committee.
In which, the department proposed and recommended that functional agencies strictly control the management of tourist transport vehicles, especially controlling the departure of wharves to take tourists to visit around islands and archipelagos must be strict and complete with procedures. Regularly provide information about weather conditions, especially during the peak rainy season and summer tourist peak season, to have warnings for tourists.
Study the suitability for the standard SB canoe type (with a sealed hood) with passenger transport conditions on islands, archipelagos, at sea or not? Because accidents in some localities related to this type of canoe all have serious consequences.
The Department also proposed to strengthen training in escape and rescue skills for crew members and guides and disseminate safety skills and the use of life-saving equipment to tourists before each journey.
Regarding the unfortunate waterway accident that occurred to the Indian tourist group at noon on July 11, immediately after receiving the information, the department sent officials to directly grasp the situation, coordinate with the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone People's Committee and relevant agencies and units to handle the case according to assigned functions and tasks, participate in welcoming the Indian Embassy delegation at Phu Quoc International Airport; exchange, share, and provide information related to tourism activities and foreign affairs to functional agencies.
Cave with license plate AG-26751 (boat captained by Mr. Nguyen Hong Hai, born in 1969) carrying 32 Indian tourists along with 3 crew members and 1 Vietnamese guide moved from Hon May Rut Ngoai to An Thoi International Port. After leaving the wharf about 400 meters, a canoe sinking incident occurred. At about 3:40 pm on the same day, rescue and relief work was completed to bring 36 people ashore, of which 21 people were rescued, but 15 unfortunately died.
According to records, after the canoe capsizing incident, many travel service businesses and canoe tour operators have temporarily suspended operations.
Canoe tour operators issued notices of temporary suspension and also expressed their sympathy and deep condolences to the victims, families and those affected. The suspension is to ensure safety for tourists, and at the same time wait for official information, conclusions and instructions from functional agencies and related units.
For confirmed bookings, companies allow customers to choose to switch to other programs or other departure times; complete and destroy according to the company's policy.
According to statistics, in Phu Quoc, there are currently more than 100 canoes operating in the field of transporting tourists to visit the islands. Among these, about 70 canoe vehicles are qualified to operate according to SB level, the rest are not qualified to exploit and transport passengers.
