Eight Foreign Nationals Rescued at Sea by Vietnamese Fisherman

Picture courtesy of Tuoi Tre News

Eight foreign nationals, including seven Thais and one Cambodian, are reported to be in stable physical and mental condition after being rescued off the coast of Vietnam by a local fisherman. The rescue operation was confirmed by Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Hai, head of the Khanh Hoi Border Guard Station in Ca Mau Province.

The incident unfolded around 2:00 p.m. on Sunday when Dang Van Phil, a fisherman and captain of the fishing boat CM-91753, spotted a group of individuals on a makeshift raft adrift in the sea, signalling for help. Acting swiftly, Phil contacted his boat owner Phan Tan Sin, who immediately informed local border authorities about the situation.

Upon the alert, the Khanh Hoi Border Guard Station coordinated a rescue operation. Phil and his crew successfully brought the distressed individuals ashore, where they were transferred to the care of border authorities.

Once safely ashore, the border guard station provided the group with essential food, beverages, and medical care, attending to their immediate needs while ensuring compliance with Vietnamese legal procedures.

Initial identification by the border guards revealed that the rescued individuals had been part of a nine-member crew aboard a food supply boat. The group recounted their ordeal, explaining that their vessel had capsized during the journey, resulting in one crew member going missing. The survivors managed to cling to a makeshift raft, which drifted eventually into Vietnamese territorial waters where they were spotted.

The quick response and collaborative efforts between the local fisherman and authorities highlight the effectiveness of emergency protocols in Vietnam's maritime zones. The incident underscores the importance of vigilance and cooperation between maritime communities and border enforcement agencies in safeguarding lives at sea.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Tuoi Tre News 2025-06-10