At least 23 missing after Vietnamese ship sinks in South China Sea
A Vietnamese cargo vessel, the Khoi Nguyen 18, sank in the South China Sea near Yongshu Reef (Fiery Cross Reef) on July 25, 2026, leaving 23 crew members missing and 39 rescued. The ship was carrying 62 people when it encountered trouble. Chinese state media reported that a Chinese rescue vessel detected a distress signal, and six Chinese vessels, a rescue helicopter, and one Vietnamese vessel were involved in search and rescue operations. The ship was registered in Vietnam and measured under 70 meters in length. The incident occurs against the backdrop of competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, with Beijing asserting near-total sovereignty despite an international ruling against its claims. Vietnam, along with other nations, has overlapping claims in the region, including the Spratly Islands.
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