Chan-Hom strengthens, ships take evasive action

Thousands of vessels got out of the reach of tropical storm Chan Hom after receiving warnings and instructions from authorities even as it gathered force, experts said Tuesday.

More than 3,000 fishermen on 262 vessels in the waters off the Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagos moved away from the area to find shelter in surrounding islands, a coast guard officer said Tuesday.