Two crew members have died and four remain missing after the Singapore-flagged cargo ship M/V Devon Bay capsized in the South China Sea, officials from China and the Philippines said. The 600-foot general cargo vessel was carrying iron ore and 21 Filipino crew when it overturned in waters between Huangyan Dao (Scarborough Shoal) and Sabangan Point.
Incident and Location
Chinese authorities said they were notified at about 1:30 a.m. local time on Jan. 23 that a "foreign cargo ship had capsized 55 nautical miles northwest of Huangyan Dao (Scarborough Shoal)." The Philippine Coast Guard later posted that the ship's last known position was recorded at about 141 nautical miles west of Sabangan Point at 8:30 p.m. local time. Officials are working to reconcile the differing reported positions as search operations continue.
Rescue Operations and Casualties
Handout / various sources / AFP via GettyChina Coast Guard rescuing a Filipino crew member of the capsized Devon Bay cargo ship
Rescue teams recovered 17 crew members from the sea. The Chinese Embassy in Manila reported that 14 of those rescued were assessed to be in stable condition; one survivor was under emergency medical treatment and two people were confirmed dead. Four crew members remain missing.
Response by Chinese and Philippine Authorities
The China Coast Guard dispatched vessels after receiving a notification from the Maritime Search and Rescue Center of Sansha City. The Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command also launched a joint rescue operation, deploying military aircraft for continuous aerial searches. The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed the ship was the M/V Devon Bay and deployed the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) and two aircraft to assist in search-and-rescue (SAR) efforts.
In footage released by Chinese authorities, coast guard crews can be seen pulling survivors from the water and bringing them aboard rescue vessels. Both nations said they were mobilizing additional teams and assets to continue searches for the missing crew members.
Xinhua/ShutterstockThe China Coast Guard rescuing a crew member from the capsized Devon Bay
Ship Details and Voyage
Authorities identified the vessel as the 600-foot M/V Devon Bay, a Singapore-flagged general cargo ship loaded with iron ore and manned by 21 Filipino seafarers. The ship was reportedly en route from the Philippines to Guangdong, China, when the accident occurred.
Ongoing Situation
Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing as international and regional maritime agencies work to locate the remaining missing crew. People magazine and other outlets have contacted the China Coast Guard, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Chinese Embassy in Manila for further comment.
Note: Details such as last-known positions differ between Chinese and Philippine reports; officials continue to coordinate and investigate the circumstances of the capsizing.
