The family members of six fishermen from Quang Ngai Province are anxiously awaiting their return after being released by China on July 15.
Le Van Mui, Chairman of Duc Pho District People’s Committee said that they were informed on the morning of July 16 that the six men had been released from Chinese custody, however, as of that morning, they have not had any contact with the fishermen.
Waiting for a safe return
On July 15, the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing said that China had released 13 Vietnamese fishermen, including seven crew members of a fishing boat from Quang Binh Province and six others from another fishing boat from Quang Ngai Province.
They said that the fishermen were allowed to on board a fishing boat, while the Chinese have confiscated another boat along with all the fishing equipment from both boats.
Typhoon Rammasun
The Vietnamese fishermen were released amid Typhoon Rammasun, whose path crosses the East Sea. The storm is expected to continue following a path west-northwest with estimated wind speeds of at least 185 kilometres per hour in the next 24 hours. Forecasters have it reaching within 510 kilometres of the Paracels by the early morning of July 17.
These weather forecasts, along with a lack of communication with their missing relatives, are worrisome to family members of the fishermen.
Do Thi Thuy Dieu, the wife of Le Van Thun, who is one among six fishermen from Quang Ngai, said, “I was so happy to know that my husband and his friends were released. But that happiness was shorted-lived, and soon replaced by worries about the typhoon. Now I can only pray that he gets back safely."
Waiting in worry
By 11:30am on July 16, there was still no further information from the fishermen. Meanwhile the entire fishing village in Quang Ngai seems to be waiting with bated breath for news of their return.
“Since the day my son and the others were arrested, nobody in my family could sleep. I can't understand why they would release these men during such a dangerous storm,” said Vo Dat, father of the captain of the seized fishing boat.