Two Filipino crew members aboard a Singaporean-flagged cargo vessel have died after their ship capsized near Scarborough Shoal, while search and rescue operations continue for the missing.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila reported on Friday that Chinese maritime authorities rescued 17 crew members from the M/V Devon Bay, which was en route from the Philippines to Guangdong, China.
Fourteen are in stable condition, one is under emergency medical care, and two were confirmed dead.
“Rescue efforts are currently underway in full swing, and China’s maritime authorities are organizing additional rescue teams to rush to the accident site,” the embassy said.
The People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command also launched a joint rescue operation. Military aircraft and two nearby China Coast Guard vessels have been deployed to assist.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has yet to confirm the fatalities reported by China. As of 2:25 p.m. Friday, the PCG said four crew members remain missing.
“For info, as of 2:25PM today, January 23, 2026, the PCG Command Center received a confirmation from the K-Line Roro Bulk Ship Management Co., Ltd. that 17 individuals were rescued by the CCG, while four crew members remain missing,” the PCG said.
The M/V Devon Bay, loaded with iron ore, was last reported 141 nautical miles west of Sabangan Point, Ango Bay, Pangasinan around 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
The PCG said the vessel was already listing at approximately 25 degrees when the distress signal was received.
The PCG dispatched BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408), and two aircraft to conduct ongoing search and rescue operations.
Photo from Chinese Embassy via OneNews
