The incident happened at about 13:15 on July 20 in the Hon Tai waters near the Cham island, said local authorities, adding the tourist boat was carrying 20 passengers and a three-member crew to the beach.

When the boat suddenly sank, the tourists were watching the coral reef system in the Hon Tai area, said the authorities.

Hearing about the news, Cu Lao Cham border guards dispatched officers and soldiers for the rescue mission.

At about 2:00 p.m. the same day, the crew and passengers on the boat in distress were brought safely to shore.

The authorities are salvaging the wreckage of the boat to investigate the cause of the incident.

In 2022 a tourist boat carrying 39 people, including 36 passengers, from the Cham island to the mainland in Hoi An city, sank in the Cua Dai waters.

The incident killed 13 people and injured 5 others.

VOV