Rescuers are searching for 23 missing crew members after a Vietnamese cargo ship carrying 62 people sank in the South China Sea, according to Chinese state media. The ship, Khoi Nguyen 18, encountered trouble near Yongshu Reef, also known as Fiery Cross Reef. So far, 39 people have been rescued.
A Chinese rescue vessel first spotted what was believed to be a distress signal from the endangered ship shortly before 6:30 pm on Saturday (1030 GMT). Six Chinese vessels, a rescue helicopter, and one Vietnamese vessel are conducting search and rescue operations in the area.
The Khoi Nguyen 18 is a Vietnamese-registered ship measuring just under 70 meters in length. Vietnam's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Beijing claims the South China Sea in nearly its entirety, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. Vietnam, along with the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan, have competing claims to areas of the busy waterway, including the Spratlys, which are believed to sit on vast oil and gas resources.
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway that is crucial for global trade and is believed to hold significant oil and gas reserves. The region remains a flashpoint for territorial disputes among several countries.
