A Vietnamese fishing boat was reportedly attacked while sailing in the vicinity of the West Philippine Sea, according to Vietnamese state media.
The report states that ten crew members were injured, with three sustaining broken arms and legs.
The boat was sailing near the Paracel Islands when the attack occurred, though the perpetrators remain unidentified.
The Paracel Islands are located approximately 400 kilometers from Vietnam’s eastern coastline, the same distance from the nearest Chinese shore.
Both Vietnam and China claim ownership of this maritime feature, but it is currently under China’s control.
Neither Vietnam nor China has released an official statement regarding the incident.
The Paracel Islands have been a point of contention between the two countries, with a naval conflict in the 1970s leading to China’s occupation of the area.
Presently, China has established a small port, along with buildings, a helipad, and radar installations on the islands.