23-4-2024 (HANOI) The pilot of a tourist boat involved in a collision with a ferry in the Mekong Delta last weekend, resulting in one death, was arrested on Monday. Phan Thanh Duoc, 42, was apprehended by police in Tan Chau Town for violations related to piloting waterway vessels.
The incident occurred on April 19 when Duoc was operating the Hang Chau Tourist Express Boat, which was ferrying 42 tourists from Phnom Penh in Cambodia to Chau Doc. The collision took place on the Tien River in An Giang Province, claiming the life of a 36-year-old tour guide and injuring a Frenchman and a German.
Authorities stated that Duoc failed to maintain control over the speed and distance from the other vessel, ultimately leading to the collision.
Although Hoang Thi Minh Dang, the company organizing tours using the vessel, asserted on Saturday that Duoc possessed all necessary qualifications and over 10 years’ experience, the incident prompted swift action from law enforcement.
Nguyen Khanh Hiep, director of the An Giang Province Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, announced that an assessment of Hang Chau’s operations would be conducted. Any potential violations would be thoroughly investigated and penalized accordingly.
