At least 12 people died of suspected food poisoning on a Chinese-flagged ship off Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, southern Vietnam, a border guard official said on Friday afternoon.
Preliminary information from a rescue helicopter showed that 21 crew members suffered suspected food poisoning on Wu Zhou 8 ship, which was located about 63 nautical miles from Con Dao Islands off Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.
Ten of them were found dead on the vessel, while the other 11 were taken to the military medical center of Con Dao by the rescue helicopter.
On their way to the medical center, two more passed away.
The remaining nine victims were in a critical condition.
All 21 victims are Chinese nationals, according to a border guard official in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.
Vietnam’s Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) has sent a rescue vessel to the Chinese ship and is expected to reach the destination by Friday night.
The Chinese-flagged ship was traveling from Thailand to China, the MRCC added.
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