Hong Kong (VNA) – The Vietnamese Consulate General in Hong Kong(China) is joining hands with local competent authorities to look for twomissing Vietnamese sailors, and identify one deceased in the oil tanker blazein Hong Kong’s southern waters on January 8.
Several fireboats, one helicopter and one police boat are circling the scene. Policementioned the possibility that the two missing are still stranded on board.
Currently, accommodation is arranged for the Aulac Fortune’s 21 crew members atPanda Hotel in Tsuen Wan district while Vu Tien Anh, who suffered burns, isstill under treatment in hospital.
Vietnamese Consul General to Hong Kong Tran Thanh Huan told Vietnam News Agencycorrespondents that the consulate will work to complete procedures to take thecrewmen home as soon as possible.
The agency on January 9 sent a diplomatic note to thank Hong Kong authoritiesfor their support, and ask them to continue search and rescue work.
The Hong Kong Marine Police is in charge of finding the cause of the incident.
The fire occurred when the 17,500-tonne tanker was preparing to be refueled by anoil barge. At that time, there were 27 crew memberson board, including 25 Vietnamese and two Hongkongers.
Before the accident on January 8, the AulacFortune docked in Dongguan port in Guangdong, China.-VNA