Fisherman missing following Chinese ship attack in Vietnam waters

A fishing boat carrying eight fishermen from the north-central Vietnamese province of Thanh Hoa, was attacked by a Chinese ship at around 5:00 am on November 29 in an area some 20 nautical miles southwest of Bach Long Vi Island off Hai Phong, the National Search and Rescue Committee has reported.

The Chinese attackers struck the stern and port side of the boat, causing three crew members, all Vietnamese fishermen, to fall overboard.

Following a distress signal, other ships operating nearby managed to rescue two of the victims but the other remains missing.

Coast guard vessel 8003 has been dispatched to the scene to look for the missing fisherman and carry out the investigation.

Fishing ships sailing in the area were also requested to assist the search and rescue mission.

In a related development, another fishing boat carrying 15 crew members was operating some 55 nautical miles southeast of Con Dao Island, off the southern province of Ba Ria- Vung Tau, when it was rammed by an unidentified vessel on Sunday night.

The collision damaged the bow of the Vietnamese boat.

Competent authorities are working to identify the culprit.