The Vietnamese ship Khôi Nguyên 18 has tragically sunk in the South China Sea, prompting immediate rescue efforts. The vessel was carrying 62 individuals when it encountered severe weather conditions, leading to the incident. As of the latest reports, 45 crew members have been successfully rescued.

Following the sinking, Vietnamese authorities acted swiftly, coordinating closely with various rescue teams. The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Phạm Thu Hằng, confirmed that rescue operations were underway, with assistance from Chinese rescue forces and nearby vessels.

As of noon on July 26, the search and rescue teams have managed to save 45 people, while efforts continue to locate the remaining crew members. Authorities are actively working to ensure timely support and assistance for those affected, keeping the families of the victims informed about the ongoing rescue operations.

Phạm Thu Hằng expressed gratitude to the Chinese rescue teams for their prompt support in the search and rescue efforts and emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between both nations to locate the remaining individuals.

The situation remains critical as search operations persist, with local fishing vessels joining the efforts to find and rescue any survivors still missing.