One Body Recovered, 48 Rescued After Vietnamese Vessel Sinks in South China Sea

Dragon Media News Desk

Vietnamese authorities have recovered the body of one victim from the Vietnamese-flagged vessel Khoi Nguyen 18, which sank in the South China Sea, while 48 crew members have been rescued safely.

Vietnamese media outlet Thanh Nien reported on Friday, citing Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang, that the rescued crew members were brought ashore on Wednesday and reunited with their families following coordinated efforts by Vietnamese and Chinese authorities.

Hang said search and rescue teams were continuing operations to locate those still missing.

She also thanked China and the Philippines for their active support in the rescue operation.

The Khoi Nguyen 18 was carrying 62 people when it sank amid adverse weather conditions in waters near Yongshu Reef in the Nansha Islands of the South China Sea.