A Vietnamese vessel, KHOINGUYEN18, sank in the South China Sea on the night of
July 24 with 62 crew aboard. Survivors on life‑rafts drifted toward Yongshu Reef
(Fiery Cross Reef) in the Nansha/Spratly area. The Ministry of Transport rescue
ship Nanhai Jiu 115 recovered 36 crew from two life‑raft sightings; Sansha
maritime search‑and‑rescue sub‑center reported three more rescued by 10:00 on
July 26, bringing the total to 39. Twenty‑three crew remain missing; multi‑party
search operations are ongoing.
