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.