Vietnamese Freighter Sinks Near Fiery Cross Reef, Prompting International Rescue Effort
A Vietnamese freighter, Khoi Nguyen 18, sank near the Chinese naval base at Fiery Cross Reef, leading to a significant rescue operation. The vessel, which had an unusually large crew of 62, sent a distress signal on Saturday evening. The signal was picked up by a Chinese rescue vessel, prompting a response that included six Chinese rescue vessels, a Vietnamese vessel, and a rescue helicopter. By late Sunday, 45 crew members had been rescued, with search efforts ongoing for the remaining individuals. The Vietnamese foreign ministry expressed gratitude for the swift support from Chinese forces and emphasized the importance of continued cooperation in the search efforts. The freighter, a small coastal vessel built in 2017, was reported to have gone down due to severe weather conditions.