Food poisoning kills 12 sailors on Chinese boat off Con Dao islands

The nine, being treated at the Con Dao District medical center Friday afternoon, were in critical condition, doctors said.

When the crew members were airlifted by a rescue helicopter to Con Dao for emergency treatment, ten had already died. Of the remaining 11, one died on the way to the airport and another arrived dead at the district medical center.

A Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province border guard representative said that the cargo ship was on its way from Thailand to China when the crew were hit by food poisoning, off the Con Dao islands.

A Vung Tau based rescue ship is on its way to tow the ill-fated boat to a safe location, local officials said.