ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said at a regular press conference in Hanoi on September 17.

Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)

In response to reporters’ questions regarding the detention of the 18 Vietnamese fishermen in Malaysia, Hang said the incident on August 16 between Malaysia’s coast guard and two Vietnamese fishing vessels left one Vietnamese fisherman dead.

She added that the Foreign Ministry sent a diplomatic note to the Malaysian Embassy in Vietnam expressing its profound concern over the serious incident. The ministry asked the Malaysian authorities to investigate the case, strictly punish public service staff responsible for the death of the Vietnamese fisherman, and prevent similar incidents from occurring.

The ministry also suggested Malaysia soon help bring the body of the victim home, as his family wishes, and offer humanitarian treatment to the detained fishermen.

Malaysia has yet to arrange any consular visit, however, and Vietnam is working to promote the process, she said./.VNA