SAMUT PRAKAN: A Vietnamese cargo ship ploughed into riverside houses along the Chao Phraya River in Phra Pradaeng district yesterday, damaging three homes.
The Star 62 ran aground at Phra Pradaeng pier off Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Road in tambon Talad about 8.30am, police said.
Residents fled to the streets in panic as the cargo ship loomed over them. Three houses were damaged, one badly, but nobody was injured.
The owner of one of the damaged houses told police she was resting inside her home and heard a loud noise coming from the middle of the river. She turned to look and was terrified to see a large cargo ship bearing down on her house.
She fled in fear and just seconds later the vessel's bow rammed into her home. Neighbours also ran out into the street in panic.
Previously, a cargo ship had run into a pier opposite her house, she said. It was less dramatic and no one was hurt.
Samut Prakan marine and local officials were inspecting the ship and the damaged houses.
Investigators said the Star 62 was returning to Vietnam after unloading cargo. A failure in the steerage system caused it to veer into the riverbank.
The ship's captain and crew members were taken to Phra Pradaeng police station for questioning. Authorities were contacting the ship's insurance firm to arrange an inspection and cover the cost of the damage caused to the houses.
The Star 62 is a 72-metre-long general cargo ship registered in Vietnam. Her gross tonnage is 1,599 and deadweight is 3,093.