Vietnamese fisherman missing after boat hit by Panama-flagged ship

By Truong Ha December 12, 2022 | 01:56 am PT

Three Vietnamese fishermen (C) are rescued after their boat was hit by a Panama-flagged cargo ship, December 12, 2022. Photo by Vung Tau Maritime Administration

A Panama-flagged cargo ship hit a Vietnamese fishing boat off the southern coast Monday, causing six fishermen to fall into the sea and one of them remains missing.

The Lady Roxana ship left HCMC and hit the fishing boat at around 7:20 a.m. when they were more than 4.5 km off Vung Tau beach town, which borders HCMC.

The fishing boat sank almost entirely, and six of its crew members fell into the sea.

A fishing boat sank after it was hit by a Panama-flagged cargo ship off Vung Tau, December 12, 2022. Photo by Vung Tau Marine Administration

Vung Tau coast guards and marine rescue forces were alerted, and five fishermen were rescued after more than one hour.

Many divers were sent to the area on Monday afternoon but they have not found the remaining person.

The Lady Roxana, more than 105 meters long and 20 meters wide, was carrying oil to China.