A seafarer has been reported missing after a massive blast tore the hull of a tanker apart in Vietnam.

Border force officials said the explosion took place on the 3,000-dwt Trung Thao 36-BLC (built 2012) on Monday while it was at anchor at Dung Quat, the Tuoi Tre website reported.

The ship, which caught fire, was awaiting refuelling at the time.

The other 12 members of its crew jumped into the sea and were rescued by fishermen. No pollution has been reported.

The vessel is operated by domestic owner Ha Thao Shipping of Ho Chi Minh City.

Photos showed a huge hole torn in the port-side hull stretching down to the waterline.

A number of blasts were heard, according to the border force.

The missing man was reported as Vietnamese national Nguyen Thanh, 25.

The fire was extinguished after an hour.

The tanker had sailed from Da Nang. It is classed by Vietnam Register of Shipping and entered with the UK P&I Club.

The Equasis database does not have a record of any port state control inspections for the ship.

VesselsValue assesses the tanker as worth $4.66m.