China Rescues 45 After Vietnamese Vessel Sinks in South China Sea
Dragon Media News Desk
Chinese rescue teams have saved 45 people from a Vietnamese vessel that sank after encountering distress near Yongshu Reef in the Nansha Islands of the South China Sea. Chinese and Vietnamese teams are continuing a joint search for those still missing.
According to Sansha authorities, the Vietnamese-flagged KHOI NGUYEN 18 encountered distress on the night of July 25 in waters about 220 nautical miles east of Vietnam’s Khanh Hoa Province. The vessel, measuring 69.9 metres in length and 10.8 metres in width, was carrying 62 Vietnamese nationals.
China deployed six vessels and a rescue helicopter for the operation, while seven Vietnamese ships also joined the search-and-rescue effort at the scene.
Chinese rescue teams had saved 45 people by 1:42 pm on Sunday, Sansha authorities told the Global Times. Vietnamese rescuers found one additional survivor and recovered one body.
By 8:05 pm on Sunday, 41 of those rescued aboard Chinese vessels had been safely transferred to Vietnamese ships. Arrangements were made to hand over the remaining four on Monday, according to Sansha maritime search-and-rescue authorities.
China and Vietnam established a joint and unified command system for the operation. The Chinese rescue vessel Nanhai Jiu 115 assumed command at the scene and coordinated rescue resources from both countries.
At 6:23 pm on Saturday, Nanhai Jiu 115 was returning to Sanya when its crew spotted a life raft and rescued 29 Vietnamese nationals. The survivors informed rescuers that their vessel had sunk and that others urgently needed assistance.
After receiving the information, Sansha maritime search-and-rescue authorities immediately activated an emergency response plan and established a three-tier command mechanism involving provincial, municipal and district authorities. Military, police, coast guard and civilian units were also mobilised.
Nanhai Jiu 115 coordinated with Nanhai Jiu 113, rescue helicopters, coast guard vessels and other resources to search the surrounding waters. Navigational alerts were issued, asking nearby vessels to remain vigilant and immediately report any sightings of people or wreckage.
The South China Sea Forecasting Centre under China’s Ministry of Natural Resources prepared drift-prediction models to estimate the possible locations of people in the water. Satellite imagery was also used to support the search.
Sansha authorities said Typhoon Noul had not disrupted the operation. Rescue teams from both countries were coordinating search areas, exchanging information and deploying resources efficiently.
Those rescued were provided with meals and necessary medical assistance aboard the Chinese vessels. Officials said they were recovering well.
Rescued Vietnamese mechanic Nguyen Van Toan expressed gratitude to the Chinese crew, saying their efforts had given him and his companions a second chance at life. Other survivors also thanked their rescuers by saying “Xie xie Zhongguo,” meaning “Thank you, China,” in Chinese.
Ding Duo, director of the Centre for International and Regional Studies at China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said the joint operation demonstrated the importance of rapid response, humanitarian cooperation and effective coordination beyond maritime disputes.
He said China had developed an integrated air-and-sea emergency rescue system through institutions including the Sansha and Nansha maritime search-and-rescue centres. According to Ding, the operation highlighted China’s role in providing maritime public services and navigation-safety support to neighbouring countries and international shipping routes.
The search for those still missing remains underway.
