Ha Long Bay disaster put down to human error
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The cause of the deadly boat sinking in Ha Long Bay on February 17 that killed 12 tourists from 9 nations is preliminarily put down to human negligence.
Colonel Vu Chi Thuc, director of Quang Ninh police said that initial examination shows that 27-year-old Do Van Thang, a crew member in charge of engine forgot to close the valves that allowed water in to cool the engine on both sides of the boat.
The engine was turned off, preventing a pump from running to push the water out.
When the main pipe was broken, water flooded into the compartments one by one, inundating and sinking the ship.
Thang has been arrested along with his superior – captain Nguyen Van Minh, 22. They are facing criminal charges of “irresponsibility causes serious consequences”.
According to investigation findings, the captain and other crew members skipped their night patrol and when the discovered water flooding in, it was too late.
However, a full official conclusion is yet to be made. It is expected that the boat will be exhaustively examined on February 26 when the tide meets certain requirement.
The Truong Hai 06 was carrying 27 people when it sank at 4.45 am. They include six crew members – who have all been saved, two Vietnamese citizens and 19 foreigners from Russia, UK, Demark, Germany, Italy, US, Japan, Australia and France.
Ha Long Bay, renowned for its hundreds of tiny islands and freshwater swamp forests, is probably Vietnam's most popular tourist destination.
