One fisherman was killed and 11 injured after a fishing boat exploded off the central Vietnamese province of Quang Ngai on Tuesday.

The blast occurred at around 10:00 pm, when a fishing vessel carrying 14 crew members was returning to Ly Son Island following a month operating at sea.

As the boat was still about six nautical miles away from the island at the time, the local border guard unit had to mobilize another ship to rescue the victims, Nguyen Viet Vy, secretary of the Ly Son Party Committee, confirmed on Wednesday.

The accident killed 21-year-old Duong Minh Hung, and wounded 11 others, eight of whom were later transferred to the general hospital in the central city of Da Nang for their severe injuries.

The injured suffered injuries including 30- to 50-degree burns and wounds from debris and broken glass, according to Nguyen Huu Hung, a senior doctor at the infirmary.

Among the injured, a 28-year-old crew member was forced to have his leg amputated, Dr. Hung continued.

An injured fisherman is being treated at the hospital. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Local police officers are coordinating with relevant agencies to investigate the cause of the accident.

Preliminary information shows that the blast occurred in the cabin.

“I was asleep when I heard the loud bang. The boat was severely damaged and on fire afterward,” Nguyen Chi Dai, one of the victims, recounted.

Nobody was cooking prior to the incident, Dai stated, adding that the boat did not sink following the explosion.

Local authorities have offered financial support worth VND16 million (US$681.8) for family of the deceased and VND3 million ($128) to VND8 million ($341) for each injured fisher.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!