VietNamNet Bridge – Quang Ninh Province’s police on February 20 arrested the captain and chief mechanic of the sunken tourist boat that killed 12 tourists on February 17.

According to Nguoi Lao Dong (Laborers) Newspaper, police arrested captain Nguyen Van Minh, 22, and chief mechanic Do Van Thang, 27 of Truong Hai boat for investigation.

Minh and Thang are believed to have caused the tragedy because inspections revealed that the sunken boat didn’t have any holes. Thus, the boat was not cracked or didn’t bump anything. The mistake that led to the disaster was caused by sailors, who didn’t obey safety rules.

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.

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.

Quang Ninh Province’s Vice Chair Dang Huy Hau said that local police had prosecuted the case to investigate the responsibility of individuals and agencies in the tourist boat disaster on Ha Long Bay.

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.

The boat was fished out on February 18 for investigation. Below are some pictures of the lifting process and of the boat:

Source: VNN/VNE/Tuoi Tre