45 Rescued, 17 Still Missing After Vietnamese Vessel Sinks Near Spratly Islands

Rescue teams from Vietnam and China are racing against time to locate 17 people still missing after a Vietnamese cargo vessel sank in the South China Sea, leaving dozens of crew members stranded in one of the world’s busiest and most disputed waterways. The operation has brought together maritime authorities from both countries despite longstanding territorial tensions in the region.

According to Vietnamese and Chinese authorities, the cargo ship Khoi Nguyen 18 encountered severe weather on Saturday while operating near Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands. The vessel was carrying 62 Vietnamese nationals when it sent out a distress signal before sinking in rough seas.

A Chinese rescue vessel, Nanhai Jiu 115, first detected the ship’s distress flare on Saturday evening. Rescue crews soon located a life raft carrying survivors approximately 38 nautical miles north of Fiery Cross Reef, launching a large-scale search that has continued through the night and into Sunday.

By Sunday afternoon, 45 people had been rescued, while 17 remained unaccounted for. Vietnamese officials said those rescued were receiving medical attention and support, while authorities were keeping families informed as the search continued.

The rescue effort involves six Chinese vessels, rescue helicopters and Vietnamese search teams, with aircraft and ships combing the surrounding waters for any sign of the missing crew members. Authorities said weather conditions remain challenging, with strong winds and rough seas complicating operations.

Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry confirmed it is working closely with Chinese rescue authorities and expressed appreciation for Beijing’s rapid response. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said Vietnamese agencies had immediately coordinated with their Chinese counterparts and nearby vessels after learning of the sinking.

The incident occurred near Fiery Cross Reef, one of several reefs and artificial islands at the centre of competing territorial claims in the South China Sea. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire sea, while Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also claim parts of the resource-rich waters. Despite those disputes, the emergency has prompted close cooperation between Chinese and Vietnamese rescue services.

Authorities have not yet determined what caused the vessel to sink, although initial reports indicate that severe weather and rough sea conditions played a significant role. Maritime investigators are expected to launch a formal inquiry once rescue operations are completed.

As hope fades with every passing hour, rescuers continue searching the vast expanse of the South China Sea, with officials saying every available resource is being deployed to find the remaining 17 missing crew members.