6 more rescued after Vietnamese vessel sinks near Kagitingan Reef; 17 still missing

Six more crew members have been rescued by authorities after a Vietnamese cargo vessel sank near Kagitingan Reef in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Sunday, citing a report from its Vietnamese counterpart.

The Vietnamese vessel, identified as Khoi Nguyen 18, sank on the evening of July 25, 2026, with a total of 62 crew members aboard. Rescuers are still searching for 17 more individuals.

In a statement, the PCG said that it has already activated its Search and Rescue response by deploying maritime and air assets.

Following the directive of PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, the agency deployed BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) and a PCG air asset from Palawan.

“The PCG Command Center is coordinating closely with the VCG (Vietnamese Coast Guard) for other operational information needed to guide the search and rescue response,” PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said in a statement.

“We are also utilizing the Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System to guide responding assets and improve the probability of locating the missing persons,” she added.

Chinese state-run news agency CCTV, meanwhile, said that it was Chinese teams who rescued the Vietnamese sailors near the Chinese-occupied reef. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA News