17 Missing As Vietnamese Cargo Ship Sinks in South China Sea

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Hanoi: Vietnamese authorities are leading a major search and rescue operation for 17 missing crew members after a Vietnamese cargo ship carrying 62 people sank in the South China Sea.

The vessel, identified as the Khoi Nguyen 18, sank during severe maritime weather on Saturday evening near Yongshu Reef.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang confirmed that Vietnamese rescuers arrived at the scene immediately and successfully pulled 45 survivors from the water. Regional forces, including Chinese rescue ships, helicopters, and local fishing boats, assisted in retrieving survivors.

Emergency operations remain actively underway as search crews continue scouring the area for the remaining missing occupants.

Vietnamese officials confirmed that the families of all crew members have been notified as multinational search efforts proceed across the surrounding waters.