At 3.30pm on Wednesday 3rd October 2012, a day-boat owned by Đông Phong Cruise company (the Đông Phong 02, QN-1402), hit one of our tender boats (small motorised boat used for guest transfer from their main ship to excursion locations), leaving 5 passengers dead.

The Đông Phong boat was reversing when it hit and overturned our tender which was transferring 18 people from Sung Sot cave back to one of the Paradise Luxury boats, QN-6688. Our crews and management immediately coordinated with the local police and hospitals. 13 people were rescued with minor to no injuries but one person died on their transfer to the hospital by speedboat and 4 were pronounced dead at the scene.

All passengers of boat QN-6688 were then transferred to Tuan Chau Island and relocated in a hotel in Halong City.

Our management and teams, together with the Head of Tourism Department, have escorted all guests to the hotel and went to the hospital to assist two passengers injured who were kept under observation

All the victims were Taiwanese citizens. Their trip had been arranged by a Taiwanese tour operator and a local Destination Management Company (DMC) based in Hanoi. Right after the accident, both the Taiwan agent and the Vietnamese DMC were immediately contacted and informed and we continue following up with insurance companies and the Taiwan Embassy to assist and repatriate the guests and bodies.

We are doing everything in our power to support the victims and passengers of QN-6688, specifically by liaising with local authorities and coordinating with the local DMC that arranged the trip on our boats.

We have been cleared of all responsibility for the accident by the local authorities who are now involved in further investigations with Đông Phong, thus our operations will not be interrupted.

We remain at your disposal should you have any particular enquiries or questions.

We thank you in advance for your understanding and trust.

With my best regards,

Caroline Thomas (Ms)

Marketing & Communication Manager