Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang has instructed rescue units to mobilise all their resources to seek for missing people after a boat accident off the coast of Ho Chi Minh City August 2.

According to the Region 3 Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, the boat, with registration number H29-BP, sank on August 2 night when carrying 30 passengers, including two foreigners, from Go Cong Dong of southern Tien Giang province to Vung Tau city.

Due to strong wind, the boat capsized on the portion of Soai Rap River that crosses Long Hoa village in Can Gio district of Ho Chi Minh City.

Rescue units were sent right after the accident was reported and managed to save the lives of 21 people. The survivors were admitted to the healthcare centre of Can Thanh commune, Can Gio district, and Le Loi hospital in Vung Tau city.

As of the morning of August 3, one person was killed and eight others remain missing.

Relevant agencies of Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria-Vung Tau are still searching for the eight missing passengers.

Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang, who arrived in Can Gio district on August 3 to oversee the search and rescue work, said rescue units should extend the searching area before a storm is expected to make landfall.

He also asked the Vietnam Maritime Administration to work with relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the accident.-VNA