Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh has urged a rapid investigation into the tourist boat on the Han River in Danang City and a thorough check-up on the operation of tourist boats nation-wide.
A man and two children were killed and many passengers were injured when a tourist boat capsized on the Han River in Danang City on June 4 night.
The Ministry of Transport was asked to work with Vietnam Inland Waterway Administration and local departments of transport to carry out inspections on operations of tourist boats, emergency equipment and captain's licences.
Local authorities were also asked to tighten management on maritime transport, especially tourist boats, and raise awareness about waterway traffic law to all people. Out-dated legal documents must be reviewed and amended. The Ministry of Public Security was asked to increase inspections.
Thao Van 2 tourist boat sank in the Han River, Danang City, on June 4 with 56 passengers on board. A man and two children were killed and many passengers were injured. The boat was overloaded.
In 2014, the Thao Van 2 sank when carrying 10 tourists on the Han River, all of them were rescued.
The operation of tourist boats at many attractions in Vietnam has been a concern for many people as a large number of those boats are ill-equipped. Boats often lack enough emergency equipment to ensure passengers safety such as life jackets or fire safety equipment.
A tourist boat in Ha Long Bay sank after colliding with freighter last year. The rescue team arrived quickly to rescue 48 passengers and four crew members. Over the past seven years 23 tourism boat accidents have occurred in Ha Long Bay, with 11 vessels sunk and 12 boat fires killing dozens of passengers, mostly foreigners.
