Archive · 26 Jul 2026
Search for 17 missing after Vietnamese ship sinks in South China Sea
A big Vietnamese ship called the Khoi Nguyen 18 had 62 people on it.
It sank in the South China Sea near a place called Fiery Cross Reef.
Chinese and Vietnamese rescuers worked together to save 45 people, but 17 are still missing.
The area where the ship sank is part of a disputed region called the Spratly Islands, which China and several other countries, including Vietnam, claim as their own.
China has built military bases on artificial islands in the area, which has caused tension with other countries.
A Vietnamese cargo vessel, Khoi Nguyen 18, sank in the South China Sea near Fiery Cross Reef.
62 Vietnamese nationals were aboard the vessel; 45 have been rescued, and 17 are still missing.
Chinese and Vietnamese rescue teams are working together to search for the missing passengers.
The incident occurred in the disputed Spratly Islands region, claimed by China and several other countries.
China has militarized artificial islands in the area, adding to the territorial disputes.
- Who
- 62 Vietnamese nationals aboard the cargo vessel Khoi Nguyen 18
- What
- A Vietnamese cargo vessel sank in the South China Sea
- When
- The incident occurred on Saturday night
- Where
- Near Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea
- Why
- The vessel ran into distress, causing it to sink
Vietnamese Perspective
Chinese Perspective
Sovereignty over the Spratly Islands
Vietnamese Perspective
Vietnam claims sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and disputes China's claims.
Chinese Perspective
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands, and has militarized artificial islands in the area.
- Vessel Name
- Khoi Nguyen 18
- Number of Passengers
- 62
- Number Rescued
- 45
- Number Missing
- 17
- Location of Incident
- Near Fiery Cross Reef, South China Sea
- Vessel Length
- 70 meters
- Vessel Gross Tonnage
- 999 metric tons