A Norwegian ship owner says one of its cargo vessels has sunk off Vietnam. Bergen-based Gearbulk says only one of the 19 Filipino crew members was known to have survived.

A Vietnamese rescue official said two bodies have been recovered.

Gerbulk said the Bulk Jupiter was 155 nautical miles off Vietnam, en route from Malaysia to China, with a cargo of bauxite when it sent a distress signal that was picked up by the Japanese coastguard.

The Vietnamese official says rescue operations were hampered by hazy weather and high waves.

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