Vietnam halts boat rescue mission

[Coventina]

Source: BBC

Vietnamese officials have postponed the search for survivors from a crowded ferry that sank on Sunday, to allow New Year celebrations to go ahead.

Forty people died when the vessel sank in strong currents about 20m (65ft) from the bank of the Gianh river, in central Quang Binh province.

Two people are still missing, and officials said the rescue mission would continue on Tuesday.

Local police said the small ferry had been overloaded with passengers.



Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7850520.stm

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80 people were on a boat designed for 12.

[babylonsister]

1. Designed for 12? Doesn't sound like a ferry.This is pretty

common sadly. Old rickety boats, lots of people, they probably pray before they make their voyage. I know ferries sink frequently in Indonesia. Yet that's the only transportation they can afford. :(

[Platypus]

2. Priorities

Called off so they could celebrate a holiday? WTF? At this point "rescue" might be a misnomer, but still.

[marshall]

3. Tet is the most important holiday of the year for Vietnam.

Everything shuts down. They probably wouldn't have been able to get anyone to run the search boats, and they're damn lucky to get somebody on Tuesday because it's a weeklong celebration.