At least 23 missing in South China Sea after Vietnamese vessel sinks, rescuers search for survivors

A search is underway for 23 individuals missing after a Vietnamese cargo ship sank in the busy South China Sea, with 39 people rescued so far, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. The vessel, identified as the Khoi Nguyen 18, was carrying 62 Vietnamese nationals when it ran into distress in waters near Fiery Cross Reef.

A distress flare from the ship was first spotted by a Chinese rescue vessel on Saturday evening. A coordinated search and rescue operation has been launched, involving six Chinese vessels, a helicopter, and a Vietnamese ship. The Vietnamese-registered Khoi Nguyen 18 is approximately 70 meters long with a gross tonnage of 999 tons.

The incident highlights the continued activity and potential dangers in the South China Sea, a region marked by overlapping territorial claims. China asserts sovereignty over almost the entire strategic waterway, including the Spratly Islands, where it has established military outposts on artificial islands. These claims conflict with those of Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei.