A 500-tonne barge sank on Dong Nai river this morning, spilling at least 100 litres of oil, Trinh Tuan Liem, director of Dong Nai Province’s transport department, confirmed the incident to the Labourer newspaper.

The barge, coded SG0595, was being steered by Huynh Cong Danh, 38, a resident of Ca Mau Province. 

Unable to maintain balance, it reportedly tilted and sank when materials on it were being craned to the shore. It was to have transported materials to a port of Tin Nghia Limited Company in Bien Hoa City’s An Binh Ward.

Five people, including the captain, a sailor, one woman and two children, were on board when the accident took place. There were no casualties.

Operations are underway to try and pump out the oil floating on the river surface. Life preservers have been placed around the barge to prevent the oil slick from spreading. The rescue force will salvage the barge in the next few days, Liem said.

The case is under further investigation. 

VNS