The Bell-505 helicopter, owned by the Northern Vietnam Helicopter Company under the Vietnam Helicopter Corporation, got an accident at about 5:06pm on April 5 in the sea area of Gia Luan commune in Cat Hai district of Hai Phong city while carrying four Vietnamese tourists on a sightseeing tour of Ha Long Bay.
So far, the body of the pilot and three other victims have been found. Rescuers are working hard to search for the remaining one.
Bui Van Khang, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh and deputy head of the Standing Board of the provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search, Rescue and Civil Defence, has been coordinating with relevant agencies at the scene to direct search and rescue activities.
Meanwhile, the Military Command of Cat Hai district of Hai Phong city said that the locality has sent 154 people and 12 ships and canoes to the scene.
The Zone 1 Coast Guard High Command also mobilised a vessel and two canoes operating near the site for search and rescue activities which also saw joint efforts of many other forces and local fishermen.
On April 6, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam Dinh Viet Thang said that the Vietnam Helicopter Corporation has postponed all helicopter sightseeing tours in provinces and cities after the incident.
