​18 Missing After Vietnamese Freight Ship Sinks in South China Sea

 ​18 Missing After Vietnamese Freight Ship Sinks in South China Sea

​HANOI / BEIJING — At least 18 crew members remain missing after a Vietnamese cargo vessel carrying 62 people sank amidst severe weather conditions in the South China Sea. Search and rescue operations are currently underway, jointly coordinated by Chinese and Vietnamese authorities.

​Rescue teams have successfully saved 44 crew members, while operations continue in difficult maritime conditions to locate the remaining missing individuals.

​Key Highlights of the Incident:

​Vessel Involved: The Khoi Nguyen 18, a Vietnamese-flagged freight ship measuring approximately 70 meters in length with a gross tonnage of 999 tons.

​Crew Details: All 62 individuals aboard the vessel are Vietnamese nationals.

​Location: The incident occurred near Fiery Cross Reef within the Spratly Islands chain in the South China Sea.

​Cause: The vessel sank following severe sea swells and adverse weather conditions.

​Ongoing Search and Rescue Operations:

​The emergency unfolded late Saturday when a distress flare fired from the sinking vessel was spotted by the Chinese rescue ship Nanhai Jiu 115, which was patrolling the area. Rescue teams immediately deployed to the site, rescuing 29 crew members from life rafts during the initial phase.

​Currently, six Chinese search-and-rescue vessels along with rescue helicopters, alongside Vietnamese maritime response units, are deployed at the scene. Despite rough seas hampering operations, search teams are continuing their round-the-clock efforts.

​Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed appreciation for the prompt support provided by Chinese rescue teams during the emergency response in the region.