Thai-flagged cargo ship collides with passenger ferry in southern Vietnam

A damaged ferry towed to shore by local authorities following a collision on the Vam Nao River in An Giang Province on Aug. 6, 2024. Photo by Minh Bang

The Thai-flagged vessel, nearly 87 meters long and 14 meters wide with a deadweight of over 4,500 tons, was transporting oil from Cambodia to Vietnam. As it entered the waters of Vam Nao around 2 p.m., it collided with a passenger ferry.

According to videos recorded by locals, the collision occurred rapidly, with the cargo ship sounding its horn several times before the impact. The direct hit caused the ferry to tilt to one side and damaged its railing. Along with the three passengers, several motorcycles and a gas-carrying truck fell into the river. Some individuals rushed to the ship’s side to call for help.

Loi, an eyewitness that was waiting for his ferry, reported that the collision produced a loud noise. Many urged pilots of the ferries that were close to the river bank to rescue the victims.

“Our ferry managed to rescue one person,” said Loi. “Another was saved by a different boat.”

He noted that the river section where the accident occurred is over 500 meters wide with strong currents.

A representative from the Phu Tan District People’s Committee stated that after the incident, nearby ferries and boats helped rescue the three victims. The gas-carrying truck’s driver sustained leg injuries. The ferry involved in the accident was pulled ashore by the authorities.

According to the An Giang Department of Transport’s Inspectorate, the initial cause of the collision was the ferry operator’s lack of vigilance. The ferry terminal was licensed, and the ferry’s transit time between the two shores took about 15-20 minutes.

The Vam Nao River is 6.5 kilometers long, 700 meters wide on average, and over 17 meters deep. It is considered the shortest river in Vietnam yet plays a crucial role as a waterway that connects the Tien and Hau rivers in the Mekong Delta region.

A similar accident occurred on the Tien River in An Giang’s Tan Chau town in April this year, involving a passenger ferry and a tourist ship, resulting in the death of a tour guide and injuries to two foreign tourists.