Seventeen people are still unaccounted for after the Vietnamese cargo ship Khoi Nguyen 18 sank in the South China Sea during severe weather, Vietnam's foreign ministry confirmed Sunday.
The vessel was carrying 62 people when it went down near Yongshu Reef (Fiery Cross Reef) in the contested Spratly Islands, a strategic area claimed by multiple nations including Vietnam, China, and the Philippines.
Rescue Operations Underway
Vietnamese authorities, aided by Chinese rescue teams comprising ships and helicopters, have so far rescued 45 individuals. Efforts to locate the remaining missing crew are ongoing with support from nearby vessels.
Chinese state media reported that a Chinese rescue ship first detected a distress signal from the Khoi Nguyen 18 on Saturday evening. Six Chinese vessels and a helicopter, alongside Vietnamese rescue units, are actively searching the area.
Context of the Incident
- The Khoi Nguyen 18 is a Vietnamese-registered cargo ship measuring just under 70 meters.
- The sinking occurred in an area controlled by China but also claimed by Vietnam and the Philippines.
- This incident follows another recent sinking of a Vietnamese fishing vessel near the Spratly Islands, where three fishermen remain missing after 33 were rescued.
Strategic Importance of the South China Sea
The South China Sea is a vital maritime route through which over 25% of global trade passed in 2024. The Spratly Islands and surrounding reefs are heavily disputed, with China having established military installations on several reefs it controls.
Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia maintain military presence and infrastructure in parts of the archipelago, underscoring the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.
