2 Filipino crew dead as cargo vessel capsized near Scarborough —Chinese embassy

Two Filipino seafarers were reported dead after their Singaporean-flagged cargo vessel capsized in waters near Scarborough Shoal, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said on Friday.

“As of 12:30 pm, 17 people have been rescued. 14 are in stable condition, 2 have been confirmed dead, and 1 remains under emergency medical treatment,” the Chinese embassy said in an update.

“Rescue efforts are currently underway in full swing, and China' maritime authorities are organizing additional rescue teams to rush to the accident site,” it added.

M/V Devon Bay, which was loaded with iron ore, was en route from the Philippines to China and had 21 Filipino crew members on board at the time of the incident.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command launched a joint rescue operation, according to the Chinese embassy.

In a separate update, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has yet to provide confirmation on the two fatalities reported by the Chinese government.

The PCG said that four crew members are still missing as of 2:25 p.m.

"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," it said.

The cargo vessel was last located 141 nautical miles west of Sabangan Point, Ango Bay, Pangasinan around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, according to the PCG.

“The PCG received a distress report that the vessel was already listing at approximately 25 degrees,” the PCG said in a statement.

PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408), and two aircraft have been deployed to conduct search and rescue operations.—AOL, GMA Integrated News