Vietnamese cargo ship sinks, 17 people missing in South China Sea
Rescuers are searching for 17 missing people after a Vietnamese cargo ship, Khoi Nguyen 18, sank in the South China Sea during stormy weather. Vietnamese authorities, with help from Chinese rescue forces, managed to save 45 out of 62 people on board. The incident occurred near Yongshu Reef, an area disputed by several countries. Another Vietnamese vessel also sank in the region, with 33 fishermen rescued and three still missing.
What we know
- The Khoi Nguyen 18 sank in bad weather while operating in the East Sea, according to Pham Thu Hang from Vietnam’s foreign ministry.
- Vietnamese and Chinese rescue teams, including ships and helicopters, are searching for the 17 missing people.
- The ship encountered trouble near Yongshu Reef (Fiery Cross Reef) in the Spratly archipelago, an area controlled by Beijing but claimed by Hanoi and Manila.
- In a separate incident, another Vietnamese vessel sank near the Spratly Islands, with 33 fishermen rescued and three missing.
- The South China Sea is a highly contested region, with several countries asserting claims over its islands and reefs.
