Posted on March 25, 2026
On the afternoon of March 23, the Phu Tho Provincial Police announced that the fire and rescue police force, in coordination with the waterway traffic police, is urgently searching for the missing person in the sand dredging vessel sinking incident on the Red River.
Earlier that morning, a sand dredging vessel sank on the Red River in Vinh Thanh commune (Phu Tho province), leaving two people missing.
Immediately after receiving the information, Major General Nguyen Minh Tuan, Director of the Phu Tho Provincial Police, was present at the scene to directly supervise the search and rescue operation.
The Fire Prevention, Firefighting, and Rescue Police Department promptly dispatched 16 officers and soldiers along with specialized vehicles and equipment to the scene.
According to the police, the area where the ship sank has strong currents, and the vessel was large and heavily loaded, making rescue efforts difficult.
With a high sense of responsibility, the forces diligently implemented operational measures and organized a search throughout the afternoon. By the afternoon of March 23, the authorities found the body of one victim.
Authorities are currently urgently searching for the remaining victims and implementing plans to salvage the vessel.
Rescue teams approach the scene – Photo: Phu Tho Provincial Police
Search and rescue teams are looking for the missing person – Photo: Phu Tho Provincial Police
Major General Nguyen Minh Tuan, Director of the Phu Tho Provincial Police, directly supervised the search and rescue operation at the scene – Photo: Phu Tho Provincial Police.
Rescue workers bring the body of a victim ashore – Photo: Phu Tho Provincial Police
