Urgent Search and Rescue Operations for 09 Victims from Fishing Vessels BV 92756 TS and BV 92754 TS Sunk Due to Tropical Storm No. 10

During the progression of Tropical Storm No. 10, at approximately 23:30 on 28 September 2025, two fishing vessels, BV 92756 TS and BV 92754 TS (with total 13 crew members onboard), when anchoring on the northern bank of the Gianh River (near Gianh Bridge), Quang Tri Province, their anchor lines parted, causing both vessels to be adrift and subsequently sunk in the Ly Hoa sea area. As a result, nine fishermen were reported missing, while four others managed to swim ashore safely.

Upon receipt of the distress information, the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (Vietnam MRCC) immediately coordinated with relevant authorities to issue maritime safety broadcasts and to develop a comprehensive search and rescue (SAR) plan aimed at mobilizing available vessels in the vicinity to search for the nine missing fishermen. At the time, adverse weather conditions associated with Storm No. 10 rendered it impossible for ordinary vessels to conduct search and rescue operations safely. At the incident site, Mr. Le Do Muoi, Director of the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration, directed the Vietnam MRCC to deploy the specialized SAR vessel SAR 631 to conduct the SAR operations. At 10:00 on the same day, SAR 631 departed and urgently proceeded to the distress position to search for the nine missing crew members from BV 92756 TS and BV 92754 TS. Concurrently, Vietnam MRCC established two mobile rescue teams, which were deployed by land to coordinate with maritime forces and local authorities in conducting coastal and riverine search operations along the Gianh River area.

To ensure timely and seamless command and coordination on the scene, the Director of the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration decided to establish a forward command post at the Quang Tri Maritime Administration Representative Office in Cua Gianh. The post is headed by the leadership of Vietnam MRCC with participation from personnel of Haiphong MRCC, Danang MRCC, and the Quang Tri Maritime Administration, with the objective of directing, coordinating, and supporting local forces in search and rescue (SAR) operations. Based on the nature of the distress, the evolving weather conditions, and the hydrological characteristics of the area, Vietnam MRCC developed a comprehensive SAR plan, focusing on ensuring synchronized and full coverage of both maritime and coastal zones, and on effective coordination between stationary and mobile forces. Under the plan, SAR vessel SAR 631 was designated as on-scene commander, responsible for assigning search areas to local maritime assets and coordinating joint search operations across a sea area of approximately 180 square nautical miles, extending from Cua Gianh to Con Co Island. The local Border Guard Command was tasked with directing search operations within the Gianh River area. Onshore forces, in coordination with local authorities, were equipped with advanced search and rescue technologies such as drones, line-throwing guns, and night-vision goggles, to conduct coastal searches along the stretch from Cua Gianh to near Nhat Le estuary. The Office of the National Civil Defense Steering Committee mobilized two drones to support aerial reconnaissance, with one assigned to search offshore alongside SAR 631, and the other to conduct coastal searches in coordination with the mobile rescue teams.

In a related earlier incident, two crew members went missing when fishing vessels BV 4670 TS and BV 0042 TS sank in the Cua Viet area, Quang Tri Province, due to Storm No. 10 on the morning of 28 September 2025. By the morning of 29 September 2025, one body was found washed ashore in Quang Tri Province; however, after verification, it was confirmed that the deceased was not one of the two missing crew members. Consequently, search and rescue operations for the two missing crew members from BV 4670 TS and BV 0042 TS are continuing actively under the coordination of competent authorities.

The SAR 631 vessel urgently proceeded to the scene to commence search operations.

The Vietnam MRCC’s mobile rescue team, together with its equipment, promptly proceeded to the scene to organize coastal search operations.

Local forces organized the salvage of the sunken vessel to search for the missing victims.

Mr. Hoang Hong Giang, Deputy Administrator of the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration, directly supervised the search and rescue operations for the two fishing vessels at Cua Viet (Quang Tri).