The provincial Unit for Investigative Police on Social Criminals issued a prosecution order on May 31 for the detainment of Le Van Duc, captain of the boat that capsized on May 20 killing 16 people.

Duc, 24, from the southern province of Ben Tre , was detained pending an investigation on charges of violating regulations on controlling a means of waterway traffic and causing serious consequences, in line with Article 212 of the Penal Code.

Boat manager, Lao Van Quang, 28, currently residing in southern Binh Duong province, was prosecuted on charges of assigning an unqualified person to control a means of waterway traffic, in line with Article 215 of the Penal Code.

Among the 16 people who died, four were Chinese nationals. Their bodies are still being held at Cho Ray Hospital in HCM City following a disagreement between the boat company and the victims' next-of-kin.

The deceased's families do not agree with the compensation level being offered by the company, which it claimed would bear the shipping costs of repatriating them, about 7,000 USD – 8,000 USD each.

The company has asked relevant agencies to help explain Vietnamese regulations regarding compensation payments for foreigners in the event of death./.