VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese rescue teams yesterday, Dec 25, successfully saved five sailors from Myanmar stuck on a Malaysian oil tanker that ran aground just 300m off the Thua Thien – Hue coast.

Hue: Malaysian ship broken in half

Myanmar sailors on a beach in the central province of Thua Thien Hue's Quang Dien District, following their rescue yesterday.

The fortunate sailors on the 3,000-tonne Onnekas One were given needed healthcare assistance and are being helped with necessary procedures before being sent back to Myanmar.

The sailors who had to stay on the vessel for two days amidst strong winds, were able to reach the shore after great efforts of more than a hundred Vietnamese rescuers.

At first the rescue teams tried to shoot cables onto the vessel but in vain. They decided to wait for calmer waters and use fishing boats to reach the vessel. Once they reached the vessel, they tied cables to it and asked sailors to use it and reach the shore.

According to provincial officials, Onnekas One burst into flames in international seas. While it was being towed to China's Hainan port for repairs by Singaporean vessel Sebang T7, strong winds began to buffet the ships on Sunday.

The Singaporean ship had to cut the tow cable, and Onnekas One began to drift towards the province's Quang Dien District, where it eventually ran aground.

Source: VNS