A lifeguard rescue boat at the site. — VNA/VNS Photo

BÌNH THUẬN — Rescue forces have managed to rescue 10 sailors aboard a Panama-flagged cargo ship which sank near Phú Quý island late Thursday, while the search for five others is underway.

Bùi Thế Nhân, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Phú Quý island of the south central coastal province of Bình Thuận, said on December 18 that three rescued sailors are Vietnamese and the other seven Chinese nationals.

They are being taken care of on a vessel of the Việt Nam Coast Guard and will be sent to Phu Quy island for further medical treatment in line with COVID-19 preventive measures.

The Xin Hong cargo ship with 15 crew members, 11 Chinese and four Vietnamese, on board capsized in rough seas off Vietnam on December 17 while transporting 7,800 tonnes of clay from Malaysia to Hong Kong.

The ship’s captain had contacted Việt Nam for help earlier on the day when it began to list in rough seas.

The Bình Thuận Border Guard High Command has sent a rescue team to search for the missing sailors. — VNS