Passenger boat carrying 23 sinks after evening collision in northern Vietnam

The accident occurred at around 7:15 pm on Thac Ba Lake in Bao Ai Commune, Lao Cai Province, according to a source told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

A ferry transporting rocks was traveling from Xuan Long to Huong Ly Port when it struck a passenger boat.

The ferry was operated by a 42-year-old man identified as N.V.T., a resident of Cam Nhan Commune in Lao Cai.

The passenger boat, steered by a 31-year-old man identified as T.D.N., also from Cam Nhan Commune, was en route from Mong Son to Phuc Ninh at the time of the collision.

There were 22 passengers aboard the boat, along with the operator, bringing the total number of people on board to 23.

Rescue teams have found 17 people, all reported to be in stable condition. Six others remain missing.

The passenger boat has sunk, officials said.

The missing individuals were identified by their initials as H.V.T., 43; H.T.T., 60; T.T.H., 48; H.T.T.T., 14; H.D.M., 11; and H.T.H., 56.

Authorities are continuing search and rescue efforts and investigating the cause of the collision.