Yesterday a fire erupted in the engine room of the Hai Phong 09 (HP 09) cargo ship, causing the ship to lose power when it was just 30 nautical miles from Cu Lao Cham island in the central province of Quang Nam.

The ship was transporting cement from Hon Gai Port in the northern province of Quang Ninh to Ky Ha Port in Quang Nam.

It sent emergency signals to the Vietnam Maritime Rescue Center (MRCC) at 8:00am yesterday. Two hours later, rescue ship SAR 274 approached the Hai Phong 09’s area and carried out safety measures to prevent an explosion.

While fire fighting was under way, the ship’s main engine suddenly began working again and the vessel began to move ahead at 5-7 miles per hour. Even worse, the ship was totally out of control. This caused problems for the rescue ship and endangered other ships in the area.

The SAR 274 had to shoot a rope onto the HP 09 in order to control it.

The engine room fire was extinguished by 12:00 the same day.

All 12 people aboard the ship were safely taken ashore yesterday evening by the SAR 274.

All 12 people aboard the Hai Phong 09 were taken ashore safely (Photo: Tuoi Tre)