Rescue Operations Underway for Sinking Cargo Ship Near Scarborough Shoal
BEIJING, Jan 23 (Reuters) – China and the Philippines have initiated rescue operations following reports of a cargo ship sinking near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The vessel, which was carrying 21 crew members from the Philippines, capsized early Friday morning, prompting a coordinated response from both nations.
The Chinese military reported that 17 crew members were rescued, although two tragically later died. The incident was first reported around 1:30 a.m. local time (1730 GMT on Thursday). In response, China dispatched aircraft and two vessels from its Coast Guard to assist in the rescue efforts. One crew member is currently receiving emergency medical treatment, and additional rescue forces are being organized by China’s maritime authorities to continue the search.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also mobilized resources, deploying two vessels and two aircraft to aid in the rescue of the Filipino crew members. According to the PCG Command Center, information was received from the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre indicating that a passing China Coast Guard vessel had rescued 10 of the 21 crew members.
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Details of the Incident and Ongoing Disputes
The cargo ship involved in the incident is identified as the “Devon Bay,” a Singaporean-flagged vessel loaded with iron ore and en route to Yangjiang, a city in southern China. The Maritime and Port Authority of
confirmed the sinking and stated that they are in contact with the ship’s owner and relevant authorities to provide necessary support and investigate the incident.
Scarborough Shoal is a highly contested maritime feature, often a flashpoint in disputes between China and the Philippines over sovereignty and fishing rights. Both nations claim ownership of the shoal, which China has controlled since 2012 following a standoff. The area has seen increased tensions, with China recently accusing a Philippine government aircraft of illegally entering its airspace over the shoal.
A 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea, declaring its blockade illegal and affirming the shoal as a traditional fishing ground for countries like the Philippines and Vietnam. Despite this ruling, China has continued to assert its claims, which overlap with the exclusive economic zones of several Southeast Asian nations, including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
As rescue operations continue, the situation remains fluid, with both nations working to ensure the safety of the crew members involved in this tragic incident.
