The dispatch clarified that a 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, Cat Hai district of Hai Phong city while carrying four Vietnamese tourists on a sightseeing tour of Ha Long Bay.
In the dispatch, the Ministry of National Defence is tasked to investigate into the incident, reviewing all flight control procedures, fixing shortcomings and ensuring utmost safety for flights, while supporting the pilot’s family.
The National Committee on Incident and Disaster Response, Search and Rescue is requested to follow up search and rescue activities, mobilising forces and vehicles for the work.
Meanwhile, the Chairmen of Hai Phong city and Quang Ninh province are asked to coordinate with the Ministry of National Defence during search and rescue activities, while settling the consequences of the incidents, supporting the victims’ facilities and calling for assistance from vessels operating in the area in seeking the victims.
At the same time, the Ministry of Transport is directed to provide support in forces, vehicles and necessary equipment for search and rescue activities.
On April 5 night, the Traffic Police Department sent two working groups with 21 officers and three vessels to the site to search for the victims.
As of the end of April 5, the body of the pilot and two other victims had been found.
In April 6 morning, more than 200 people and 30 vehicles of all kinds were mobilised for search and rescue activities.
