NewsAt least 2 sailors dead after cargo ship sinks in disputed South China SeaA Singapore-flagged cargo vessel with 21 Filipino sailors on board capsizes, killing two and leaving four missing.
Two sailors have been confirmed deceased, and 15 others have been rescued after a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, carrying 21 Filipino crew members, capsized in the South China Sea. The incident occurred approximately 100 kilometers northwest of…
Two sailors have been confirmed deceased, and 15 others have been rescued after a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, carrying 21 Filipino crew members, capsized in the South China Sea. The incident occurred approximately 100 kilometers northwest of Scarborough Shoal.
The Chinese Ministry of National Defense reported the dispatch of two coastguard vessels to assist following the capsizing incident, which took place in the early hours of Fri, Aug 11, 2025. The Philippines coastguard also deployed two vessels and two aircraft to aid in the rescue operations for the crew of the cargo ship, identified as the Devon Bay.
According to the Southern Theater Command of China, rescuers managed to recover 17 Filipino sailors, including 14 in stable condition and one receiving treatment. The bodies of two sailors were also retrieved.
Contact with the Devon Bay was lost on Thursday night as it was en route to Guangdong province in southern China. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore confirmed the sinking of the vessel in the South China Sea while it was heading towards Yangjiang. As the flag state of the vessel, the authority is coordinating with the ship owner and search and rescue authorities and will conduct a thorough investigation of the incident.
The incident occurred approximately 100 kilometers northwest of Scarborough Shoal.
The area surrounding Scarborough Shoal is a frequent site of maritime disputes and confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels. Both nations claim sovereignty over the region, but the issue remains unresolved. In 2012, China assumed control of the area following a standoff and has maintained its presence through coastguard and fishing vessels.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled against China's extensive claims over the South China Sea, declaring its blockade illegal and affirming the shoal as a traditional fishing ground for various countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam. China, however, rejected this ruling. The claims overlap with the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Notably, a Chinese navy ship accidentally collided with a Chinese coastguard ship in August during an attempt to prevent a Philippine coastguard vessel from accessing the area near Scarborough Shoal.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.