On May 7, the fishing vessel BT-99666-TS, captained by 29-year-old Tran Thi Khanh, was anchored in the waters off Ninh Thuan Province to transfer fish to another vessel. The boat had 12 crew members on board.
During the operation, Nguyen Van Tuyen, 57, from Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Truong Van Hieu, 56, from Ca Mau, entered the fish hold and lost consciousness, believed to be due to toxic gas exposure. Another crew member, Mai Thanh Nhan, 28, tried to rescue them but was also overcome.
All three were later brought out of the hold but had already died. Their bodies were returned to shore by the fishing vessel.
The Ben Tre Border Guard Command said it was working with local police to investigate the incident. Authorities have handed over the bodies to the victims’ families for funeral arrangements.
