Two cargo ships collided at Lotus Port in Ho Chi Minh at 1.30 pm on May 15, killing one person and leaving seven others missing.

“Hoang Dat 36 was hit by Gas Shanghai when it is preparing to dock at pier K17 for unloading. The jolting crash caused Hoang Dat 36 to hit the pier. It sank within 10 minutes after that,” said port employee Bui Quang Tan, who witnessed the incident.

The vessel went down so quickly, only half of its 16-man crew could jump overboard. The missing sailors included the ships captain and first mate.

By 4p.m. rescue workers had retrieved one body and were still searching for survivors.

Police said the collision was the most severe waterway accident recorded in Ho Chi Minh City's recent history.