China rescues 47 after Vietnamese vessel sinks

Chinese rescuers saved 47 Vietnamese sailors in a multiday search-and-rescue operation after their vessel sank near Yongshu Reef in the South China Sea on Friday night, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday.

The Vietnamese-flagged vessel Khoi Nguyen 18 had 62 crew members aboard when it sank. Some remain missing, and search-and-rescue efforts are continuing.

China launched rescue operations immediately after receiving reports that the vessel was in distress, Lin told a regular news briefing.

The rescue ship Nanhai Jiu 115, operated by the Ministry of Transport's South China Sea Rescue Bureau, found crew members from the stricken vessel near the Nansha Islands on Saturday and rescued 29 of them.

China immediately dispatched additional rescue vessels and helicopters to the area to continue search-and-rescue operations, Lin said.

The rescue of two additional sailors late on Sunday brought the total number of Vietnamese nationals rescued by Chinese teams to 47.

The injured survivors received medical treatment, and all 47 rescued crew members were handed over to the Vietnamese side in an orderly manner, Lin added.

The China Coast Guard said on Monday that search-and-rescue operations were still underway. It said it would continue scouring waters near the site while providing rescued crew members with meals, medical examinations and places to rest to ensure their safety.

Lin said the Vietnamese side had expressed appreciation for China's rescue efforts.

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang said on Sunday that Vietnamese authorities had immediately coordinated their response and rushed to the scene.

"We would like to thank the relevant Chinese authorities for promptly assisting Vietnam with the search-and-rescue operation," she said, adding that Vietnam hoped the two sides would continue to coordinate closely in searching for those still missing.