Vietnam condemns violent and inhumane attacks on international shipping routes

Photo caption — Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang

On March 7, responding to a reporter's question regarding information about Vietnamese crew members on the True Confidence ship being attacked at sea, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang affirmed that Vietnam strongly condemns violent and inhumane attacks against innocent civilians and civilian vessels on international shipping routes.

"We request that relevant parties immediately stop using force and ensure security, safety and freedom for international maritime routes in accordance with international law," Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated.

On March 7, immediately after receiving the information, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directed the Vietnamese Embassy in Saudi Arabia and Yemen and the Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt and Djibouti to contact local authorities to request information on the status of Vietnamese citizens on board.

According to preliminary information, there were four Vietnamese crew members on board, one crew member died and three crew members were in normal health condition.

Vietnamese representative agencies will continue to closely contact local authorities, promptly take measures to protect citizens, and handle funeral issues for deceased crew members to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens.

At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinates with domestic authorities to work with the crew dispatching company to deploy necessary protective measures.

Previously, regarding the case of the cargo ship True Confidence, flying the flag of Barbados, being attacked by Houthi forces in Yemen with missiles on March 6 in the Red Sea area off the port of Aden, Yemen, the Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt and Djibouti said it had verified the information and determined that the ship had a crew of 20 people, including 15 Filipinos, 4 Vietnamese and 1 Indian.

The attack killed three people, including two Filipinos and one Vietnamese.

The entire crew and passengers on board were taken to Djibouti by the Indian Navy.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt and Djibouti has contacted the Vietnamese sailors. The three Vietnamese sailors are currently in stable health. However, they lost all their identification documents when the ship was attacked.

The Vietnamese Embassy will soon send an officer to Djibouti to assist with procedures and conduct identity verification to renew passports.

The Embassy is also coordinating with the Philippine Embassy in Egypt and Djibouti to deploy logistical support and citizen protection.

As expected, after the procedures are completed, the three Vietnamese sailors and the body of the deceased sailor will be repatriated by air via Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the next few days.

TB (according to VNA)

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