3 people missing in Ly Son sea: Story of a person chewing raw fish to survive

Amid the turbulent days of the East Sea due to storm Kalmaegi (storm number 13), 3 Ly Son fishermen went missing at sea, drifting in the cold open sea for 2 days and 2 nights and were finally rescued.

The story of three missing fishermen in Ly Son special zone ( Quang Ngai ) who were rescued is a desperate journey to fight for life, but never surrendered to the ocean.

Helplessly watching Cuong disappear in the dark night

On the afternoon of November 8, after being brought safely to shore and in stable health, Mr. Phan Duy Quang (47 years old, from Ly Son special zone, Quang Ngai) was still in shock. His voice trembled as he recounted the life-and-death moment in the middle of the raging sea.

Mr. Le Van Sanh and Mr. Phan Duy Quang (Ly Son, Quang Ngai) when they were rescued

PHOTO: Contributor

At around 3pm on November 6, he received news that Duong Tan Cuong (44 years old, from Tay An Vinh village) had jumped off the Ly Son wharf. Without thinking, Quang and Le Van Sanh (37 years old) quickly took a basket boat and swam out to sea to save the person.

"At that time, the wind was howling and the waves were high, but we only thought about saving people. As soon as we got Cuong onto the boat, the waves hit hard, sweeping all three of us far from shore. Everyone looked towards the island but were helpless," Mr. Quang recalled.

Mr. Phan Duy Quang when rescued by a cargo ship

PHOTO: VH

Mr. Le Van Sanh when he was rescued

PHOTO: Contributor

The small boat was quickly swept away from the island by the waves. "We put on life jackets, clung tightly to the edge of the boat, waiting for the rescue ship. But the waves were too strong, no boat could get out," he said.

As night fell, Ly Son Island faded into a blanket of white rain. The wind howled and the waves lashed against each other. Mr. Quang tried to encourage his comrades: "As long as there is water, we will bail it out, as long as we live!". At around 8 p.m., the boat capsized. All three people were thrown into the water, trying to hold on to each other in the rough sea.

"Cuong was weak and was thrown away by the waves. I watched helplessly as he disappeared into the darkness. Sanh and I tried to hold on to each other, but by midnight Sanh was exhausted and drifted away. At that time, I could only look at the sky, my salty tears mixed with the seawater," Mr. Quang choked up.

Catch small seafood to eat raw

Alone in the black sea, Mr. Quang was exhausted but did not dare to give up. The strong winds and waves continued to rage, the 47-year-old man caught any small fish or seafood on the surface to eat, held on, tilted his face up to the sky to catch every drop of rain, and drank more seawater to sustain himself.

At that time, Mr. Quang only needed to collapse to die, so he had to stay awake. Therefore, he tried to stay awake and try to live at all costs to return to his wife and children, to Ly Son Island.

In desperation, he saw some small fish and seaweed drifting with the waves. "I tried to scoop up some fish and eat them raw to gain strength," he said.

Air force searches for 3 Ly Son fishermen missing at sea

PHOTO: TRONG QUOC

Helicopters search for 3 missing fishermen

TRONG QUOC

At dawn on November 7, Mr. Quang saw a cargo ship appear in the distance. A glimmer of hope for survival, he gathered all his strength and swam toward the ship, screaming as he swam. Amid the towering waves, the small body sank into the water, no one saw.

"I watched the ship go away and tears welled up in my eyes. I thought I wouldn't make it," he said.

Several other ships passed by throughout the day, but no one recognized him. The storm came again, and the waves grew larger. Mr. Quang continued to drift, praying and calculating the direction of the ships.

By the morning of November 8, the seventh ship, the Hainan 39, appeared. Based on the direction of the waves and wind, Mr. Quang calculated the distance and then swam with all his might to block the bow of the ship. "I swam and shouted until my voice was hoarse. Luckily, some sailors on deck saw it. They ran out to the deck and waved, and the ship stopped," he said.

When he was pulled onto the boat, Mr. Quang was pale and exhausted, but his eyes were still bright and unusually alert. "At that moment, I thought to myself: I'm alive!"

Fairy tale in the middle of the sea

After Mr. Quang was rescued, the remaining two people, Mr. Sanh and Mr. Cuong, were discovered by another ship and brought aboard in poor health but safe condition.

Hearing the news of the three survivors, the entire Ly Son island burst into tears. The wives and mothers who had been burning incense and praying for two days, burst into tears when they heard the news. The sea is fierce but also gentle, today they returned their loved ones to the island. Ly Son fishermen thought to themselves.

Mr. Duong Tan Cuong on the fishing boat called his family.

PHOTO: TAN VUONG

The story of Mr. Quang and his two friends is not only a rare escape but also a symbol of human resilience in the face of harsh nature. They survived with faith, with the experience of "people who eat the wind and talk the waves" and with the desire to return.

Le Van Sanh is being treated at Ly Son Special Zone Medical Center.

PHOTO: CAM AI

Mr. Phan Duy Quang is being monitored and treated at the Ly Son Special Zone Medical Center.

PHOTO: CAM AI

Mr. Quang used to be a fisherman, diving in the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa seas for many years, facing countless storms. However, he had never seen death so close. Yet the sea still loved people, giving him and two other fishermen the opportunity to return to Ly Son, to his wife and children.

In Ly Son, people call that story "a fairy tale in the middle of the sea". As for Mr. Quang, who has tasted the saltiness of tears and storms during those days and nights, perhaps that is the miracle that the ocean gives to those who refuse to let go.