South China Sea: tensions in the disputed water were on a knife edge after a collision (Image: REUTERS/GETTY)
The collision occurred after the Indonesian patrol ship intercepted what it claimed was an illegal Vietnamese fishing boat in its waters, its navy said, according to ABC News. Unverified video footage appears to show armed crew from the Indonesian vessel shouting at the Vietnamese coast guard after it rammed the Indonesian ship. The video, which has been widely shared across social media, includes Indonesian men shouting insults such as “dog”, “pig” and “you die”, according to ABC News.
Following the skirmish 12 Vietnamese fishermen were detained from the boat, which sank after the clash.
The detainees are being housed at a naval base “for further legal proceedings” the commander of Indonesia Western Fleet, Rear Admiral Yudo Margono, said.
The navy commander meanwhile said Vietnam’s coast guard rescued two others.
According to a statement by Rear Admiral Margono the clash occurred in waters off Indonesia’s Natuna islands chain, which is in the southernmost region of the contested South China Sea.
