Last Victim Found in Barge Sinking Incident Off Vietnam's Quang Ninh Coast; Search Concludes

Search and rescue operations concluded on July 10th at 12:55 PM after the final victim was found following a barge sinking incident off the coast of Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. The incident occurred on the afternoon of July 9th, resulting in the deaths of two crew members out of five aboard, with three rescued. The barge, HP 4914, captained by Mr. Vu Thanh Long, was carrying sand from Minh Chau Island (Van Don Special Zone) to Hai Phong when it struck a rocky area near Ban Sen commune and capsized around 2:30 PM on July 9th. Immediately after the accident, the Quang Ninh Provincial Military Command, serving as the standing office of the Provincial Civil Defense Committee, deployed its mobile forces to the scene. They coordinated with the Border Guard, Provincial Police, Fisheries Surveillance, the Marine Environment Incident Management Center, diving teams, and other functional forces to conduct urgent search and rescue operations under the direct command of Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Son, Deputy Commander of the Quang Ninh Provincial Military Command. Three crew members were rescued and taken to Van Don General Hospital for treatment. At 5:08 PM on July 9th, the body of one deceased victim was found. The search continued through the night, and at 12:55 PM on July 10th, the body of the remaining victim was discovered in the stern area of the barge's wheelhouse. Initial assessments suggest the victim was pinned by the iron frame of a chicken coop, preventing their escape when the vessel capsized. After the body was brought ashore, the Quang Ninh Provincial Military Command coordinated with local authorities and the victim's family to hand over the remains for funeral arrangements according to regulations. Condolences and support were also extended to the victim's relatives. Currently, functional forces are continuing to coordinate and supervise the salvage of the barge. Measures are also being implemented to address potential oil spills to minimize environmental impact on the marine ecosystem. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding maritime safety in Vietnam, particularly in the northern coastal regions where economic activities like sand transport are prevalent. While the government has been working to improve safety regulations, such accidents underscore the need for stringent enforcement and risk management to prevent future tragedies and protect the marine environment.