46 rescued from sunken Vietnamese vessel in South China Sea

A video released by Vietnamese authorities shows rescuers pulling survivors from a fishing vessel that sank in the South China Sea on Thursday. The footage, captured by a nearby helicopter, depicts a small boat drifting near the wreckage while a team of coast guard divers and local fishermen work to haul the crew to safety. Authorities confirmed that all 12 crew members were rescued, though the ship’s captain was reported missing and is presumed lost at sea.

The incident occurred off the coast of Phu Quoc Island, a region that has seen a rise in maritime accidents amid increasing shipping traffic. Vietnamese Coast Guard officials said the vessel, which had been operating on a routine fishing route, had experienced a sudden hull breach, likely due to a collision with a submerged object. Rescue teams were dispatched within minutes of the distress signal, and the survivors were taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment of minor injuries.

Vietnamese officials have pledged a full investigation into the cause of the sinking and have urged stricter enforcement of maritime safety regulations in the area. The incident underscores the ongoing risks faced by fishermen operating in the busy waters of the South China Sea and highlights the importance of rapid response capabilities for maritime emergencies.