Aulac Fortune oil tanker caught fire in Hong Kong's southern waters on January 8. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Hong Kong (VNA) – The Vietnamese Consulate General in Hong Kong (China) is joining hands with local competent authorities to look for two missing Vietnamese sailors, and identify one deceased in the oil tanker blaze in Hong Kong’s southern waters on January 8.
Several fireboats, one helicopter and one police boat are circling the scene. Police mentioned the possibility that the two missing are still stranded on board.
Currently, accommodation is arranged for the Aulac Fortune’s 21 crew members at Panda Hotel in Tsuen Wan district while Vu Tien Anh, who suffered burns, is still under treatment in hospital.
Vietnamese Consul General to Hong Kong Tran Thanh Huan told Vietnam News Agency correspondents that the consulate will work to complete procedures to take the crewmen home as soon as possible.
The agency on January 9 sent a diplomatic note to thank Hong Kong authorities for 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 an oil barge. At that time, there were 27 crew members on board, including 25 Vietnamese and two Hongkongers.
Before the accident on January 8, the Aulac Fortune docked in Dongguan port in Guangdong, China.-VNA
VNA
