Vietnam’s Quy Nhon suspends unlicensed jet ski, speedboat operations after fatal accident

The Quy Nhon City People’s Committee sent an official notice to the provincial police, three coastal border guard stations, and the administrations in the coastal communes of Nhon Hai, Nhon Ly, and Nhon Chau, urging immediate measures to ensure inland waterway traffic safety during the remaining days of the Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers' Day (May 1) holiday.

According to the Quy Nhon government, despite previous directives aimed at maintaining order and safety on inland waterways, a serious incident occurred on May 1 in the waters off Nhon Hai Commune.

A jet ski, operated by 37-year-old La Van Lo, a resident in Nhon Hai, lost control while cruising near the shore on Hon Kho Island and crashed into the beach, hitting several beachgoers.

The collision killed eight-year-old D.P.M.K. from Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, and injured three others, one of them critically.

Following the accident, provincial leaders visited the injured victims at Binh Dinh General Hospital to offer support and encouragement.

To prevent similar incidents, the city has ordered the administrations in Nhon Hai, Nhon Ly, and Nhon Chau Communes to inform all relevant individuals and organizations to cease all operations of jet skis and speedboats that do not meet legal operating conditions.

The suspension will remain in effect from May 2 until further notice.

Local authorities are tasked with coordinating inspections to ensure compliance and safety for waterway passenger services.

Border guard stations in Nhon Ly and Nhon Chau Communes and the Quy Nhon Port checkpoint have been requested to step up patrols and control efforts to promptly prevent the operations of unauthorized jet skis and speedboats.

The city has also called on the Binh Dinh Police to direct traffic police and commune police forces in Nhon Hai, Nhon Ly, and Nhon Chau to intensify patrols and strictly handle violations of inland waterway traffic regulations, particularly those involving tourist transport.

According to Vo Van Trinh, deputy director of the Binh Dinh Department of Construction, local authorities had previously issued multiple warnings and bans against the use of jet skis on Hon Kho Island, as none of the vehicles operating there had been licensed.