Over 300 rescued Sri Lankans in stable conditions: spokesperson

More than 300 Sri Lankans who were rescued at sea off Vietnam are now in stable conditions. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – More than 300 Sri Lankanswho were rescued at sea off Vietnam are now in stable conditions and have beenprovided with temporary accommodations, Vietnamese Foreign Ministryspokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang told a press conference on November 9.

At 6pm on November 6, Myanmar-flagged fishingvessel LADY R3, which was carrying the 305 Sri Lankans to Canada, broke down anddrifted at sea about 258 nautical miles to the southeast of southern BaRia-Vung Tau province’s Vung Tau cape.

Encountering the incident coupled withstrong wind, the ship sent out a mayday.

Upon receiving the distress signal, the Region 3’smaritime search and rescue coordination centre immediately searched the waters to locatethe fishing vessel and broadcast emergency signals to other ships in thevicinity.

From 3:30 to 5:30pm on November 7, Japanese cargo shipHELIOS LEADER, en route from Japan to Singapore, approached the LADY R3 andbrought all the passengers on its board.

All of the Sri Lankans have been handed over to BaRia-Vung Tau competent forces and the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Ho ChiMinh City. They are now staying in Vung Tau city, and Dat Do and Xuyen Mocdistricts.

At 6pm on November 6, Myanmar-flagged fishing vessel LADY R3, which was carrying the 305 Sri Lankans to Canada, broke down and drifted at sea about 258 nautical miles to the southeast of southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province’s Vung Tau cape. (Photo: VNA)

According to the spokesperson, after learning of the incident, the Foreign Ministry informed the Sri Lanka Embassy in Hanoi andit is closely coordinating with certain international organisations, relevantagencies and Ba Ria-Vung Tau province to deploy humanitarian aid in line with Vietnameselaw and international practice.

The ministry is working with relevant sides in thespirit of humanity, responsibility and international cooperation, she stressed.

Hang noted that over the past time, Vietnamesemaritime forces have successfully rescued foreign vessels in distress in thewaters belonging to Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction./.

VNA