Story · Vietnam
Vietnam boat disaster: Death toll rises to 48 after cargo vessel sinks in South China Sea
On July 25, 2026, the Vietnamese cargo vessel Khoi Nguyen 18 sank near Fiery Cross Reef, a Chinese-built island and military outpost in the contested Spratly Islands, while operating in bad weather. The death toll rose to 48 by July 28, with 14 crew members still missing. A multinational search involving Vietnamese, Philippine, and Chinese rescuers is ongoing. All 48 rescued individuals have been transferred to Vietnamese authorities for medical care before returning to the mainland. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have overlapping territorial claims.
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