The accident happened when Long Phu No 1, carrying 700 tonnes of oil, collided with a barge going in the opposite direction.

The oil tanker, which is owned and operated by the Maritime Transportation Joint stock company under Petrolimex, was heading from HCM City to Nha Trang.

No one was injured in the accident, said Senior Lieutenant Colonel Le Tan Buu, deputy head of the HCM City Fire Brigade. He said rescue teams saved 14 sailors, including two crew members of the barge.

The collision caused a crack on the tanker’s left side, causing petrol to pour out into the river. A fire broke out soon after.

Soon after the collision, firemen, waterway policemen and a team from the Dai Minh Rescue Co. were sent to the site.

Buu said police and Dai Minh rescue teams had been working to contain the oil spill from spreading, collect the spilled oil and prevent further fires.

Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

VietNamNet/VNS