At approximately 11:30 p.m. on September 28, two fishing boats, BV-92756-TS and BV-92754-TS, anchored in the northern mooring area of Xuan Loc neighborhood, Bac Gianh ward, Quang Tri province, broke free due to strong winds and swift currents and eventually sank. Of the 13 crew members on board, only four managed to swim ashore, while nine remain missing.

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Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Le Ngoc Quang and Provincial Chairman Tran Phong hold a quick meeting with relevant agencies for emergency response. Photo: Q.V

According to the Quang Tri Border Guard Command, the incident occurred when crew members boarded the boats to restart the engines and check systems after the storm had begun to weaken. However, they were caught off guard by a sudden deterioration in weather conditions, including violent gusts and turbulent waters that caused the anchor ropes to snap.

The four survivors, now under the care of Border Guard Fleet 1, have been identified as Nguyen Trong Chi (born 1975, formerly of Hon Dat, Kien Giang), Sa Le (also known as Hieu, born 1989, from Da Phu, An Giang), Tran Quoc Chung (born 1985, from Dien Chau, Nghe An), and Dong Van Thanh (born 1985, from Thanh Hoa province).

Details about the missing crew members have not been fully confirmed. Among them are two captains: Mr. Nam, captain of the BV-92754 fishing vessel from the former Kien Giang province, and Mr. Tho, captain of the same boat, residing in Long Hai, Ho Chi Minh City.

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Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Phong and local agencies arrive at the scene to direct rescue efforts. Photo: X.P

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Rescue teams search for the two missing fishing vessels. Photo: X.P

Initial reports indicated that prior to the landfall of Typhoon No. 10 (Bualoi), only the captains and chief engineers remained aboard the boats to keep watch. Later that evening, around 10:30 p.m., the other 11 crew members returned to the vessels to perform routine checks, cook, and stock up on provisions. But the worsening conditions rendered the boats defenseless against the storm, ultimately leading to the tragedy.

By midnight and early morning, Le Ngoc Quang - Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Tran Phong - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, along with leaders of various departments and agencies, arrived at the scene to oversee rescue efforts firsthand.

Previously, local authorities had issued an emergency directive urging all boats to dock safely and prohibiting anyone from remaining onboard during the storm. Rescue teams continue to search for the missing and remain on standby to deploy more rescue vessels as soon as weather conditions permit.

Hai Sam