A fishing boat of Quang Ngai province has been chased after and seriously damaged by a Chinese vessel at Vietnam’s traditional fishing ground near the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.

Boat QNg96697 TS set sail from Ly Son island on July 22, heading for Hoang Sa archipelago with 13 fishermen on board. After nearly a month, they hauled nearly 10 tonnes of fish, according to captain Le Khoi.

On August 15, they were fishing in the waters about 1 nautical mile off Phu Lam island when a Chinese boat appeared and chased after it.

All fishermen aboard the fishing boat were shocked after the attack (Photo:VTC)

The Chinese side released two motorboats with 17 people, approaching the Vietnamese vessels, and controlling the captain and all the fishermen.

They used hammers and batons to beat fishermen and damage the vessel, especially three basket boats and air hole reels.

Before leaving, they took away all the equipment, including a GPS system, an Icom wireless radio, fish detectors, all the amount of fish caught and fuel.

At 14.00 of the same day, a Vietnamese fishing boat of Danang city travelled past and helped captain Le Khoi send a message to the mainland.

QNg96697 TS returned to Ly Son island safely on August 16, but all the fishermen still felt shock.

Border guards and relevant agencies of Ly Son islands are investigating the case.

VOV/VNN