VietNamNet Bridge - A Malaysian cargo ship, with five sailors on board, was broken in half in the waters of Thua Thien - Hue province yesterday, December 24.



The unlucky ship.


At 2pm yesterday, the Border Guard Command and the Steering Board for Flood and Storm Control, Search and Rescue of Thua Thien - Hue Province began approaching to rescue the five crew members.

The ship was 300m off the coast of An Loc village, Quang Cong commune, Quang Dien district, Thua Thien - Hue. However, strong winds and rough waves raised difficulty for the rescue forces.

Until early morning of December 25, the rescue forces could not have access to the ship and the crew members.



Rescue workers.


Senior Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Phuong, deputy chief of the Border Guard Command of Thua Thien - Hue province said the vessel is an oil tanker with a tonnage of about 27,000 tons. At the time of accident, the ship did not carry oil and it was on the way from Malaysia to China for repair.

The ship was broken in half and its head was submerged. It is likely that the ship will be abandoned.

Previously, the Border Guard Command of Thua Thien - Hue was informed at 1.50pm on December 23 of a 200m long cargo ship of Malaysia that was drifting in the local water.

Infonet