At least 2 sailors dead after cargo ship sinks in disputed South China Sea

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Al Jazeera Staff,News AgenciesJanuary 23, 2026 at 11:25 AM

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A Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, the Devon Bay, capsized in the disputed South China Sea on Friday, January 23, 2026, resulting in the deaths of at least two Filipino sailors. The vessel, carrying 21 Filipino crew members, sank approximately 100 kilometers northwest of Scarborough Shoal while en route to Guangdong province in China. Chinese and Philippine coastguards deployed vessels and aircraft to assist in rescue operations. Chinese rescuers recovered 17 sailors, including the deceased, while four remain missing. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is in contact with the ship owner and relevant authorities and will investigate the incident.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Guangdong province 40% Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore 50% Chinese Ministry of National Defense 60% Philippines Coast Guard 60% Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Dao) 60% Chinese Coast Guard 70% Singapore ×370% Filipino ×370% Devon Bay ×270% Philippines ×280% China ×680% South China Sea ×290%

Keywords

cargo ship sinking 100% south china sea 90% maritime accident 70% search and rescue 70% filipino sailors 60% shipping incident 50% maritime safety 50% singapore-flagged vessel 40%