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

A Singapore-flagged cargo vessel with 21 Filipino sailors on board capsizes, killing two and leaving four missing.Published On 23 Jan 2026At least two sailors have died and 15 others have been rescued after a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel with 21 Filipinos on board capsized in the disputed waters of the China-sea" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="8346" data-entity-type="location">South China Sea, leaving four missing, according to authorities in China and the Philippines.The Chinese Ministry of National Defense said the Chinese coastguard sent two vessels to assist after the boat capsized in the early hours of Friday, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) northwest of Scarborough Shoal (known in China as Huangyan Dao).Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3US arms sales to Taiwan threaten peace in the Taiwan Straitlist 2 of 3China eyes risks, gains as Trump pushes for ‘spheres of influence’list 3 of 3Do Russia and China pose a national security threat to the US in Greenland?end of listThe Philippines coastguard said in a statement on Friday that it sent two vessels and two aircraft to assist in rescue operations for the crew of the cargo ship it identified as the Devon Bay.The Chinese rescuers pulled at least 17 Filipino sailors – 14 in a stable condition, one who was receiving treatment and the bodies of two who had died – from the water, according to a statement posted on social media network Weibo by China’s Southern Theater Command.China’s coastguard sent two vessels to rescue Filipino crew members after a Singapore-flagged cargo capsized [AFP]The Associated Press news agency reported that contact with the ship was lost on Thursday night as it sailed to Guangdong province in China’s south.The Maritime ​and Port Authority of Singapore confirmed that the bulk carrier, Devon Bay, sank in the China-sea" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="8346" data-entity-type="location">South China Sea while en route to Yangjiang.“As the vessel’s flag state, MPA is in contact with the ship owner and relevant search and rescue authorities, and is providing support as required,” it said, adding that it ‌will investigate the incident.