Two seafarers dead after cargo ship capsizes, sinks in South China Sea: 17 of 21 Filipino crew members had been rescued

Two dead, four missing after bulker sinks in South China Sea
Adis Ajdin January 23, 2026 https://splash247.com/two-dead-four-missing-after-bulker-sinks-in-south-...

Search and rescue operations are continuing in the South China Sea after the Singapore-registered bulk carrier Devon Bay capsized and sank while en route to China.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said it was informed on January 23 that the 2013-built bulker had gone down while sailing towards Yangjiang.

The crew had abandoned the vessel before it sank. Seventeen of the 21 crewmembers have been recovered so far, although two were later confirmed dead. Four seafarers remain unaccounted for. There were no Singapore nationals on board.

The Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) said the Devon Bay’s last known position was around 141 nautical miles west of Sabangan Point in the Philippines. The vessel had earlier sent a distress call reporting a heavy list of about 25 degrees.

The Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre confirmed that 10 crewmembers were initially picked up by a passing China Coast Guard vessel. Chinese authorities later said two coastguard ships were dispatched to assist after the incident, which occurred roughly 100 km northwest of Scarborough Shoal.

China’s Southern Theater Command said 17 Filipino crew members were pulled from the water, including 14 in stable condition, one receiving medical treatment, and the bodies of two seafarers.

The Devon Bay, a 56,095-dwt bulker, is owned by Japanese shipping group K Line through its Singapore-based unit. The vessel was sailing from Gutalac in the southern Philippines to Yangjiang, China.

As flag state, the MPA said it is in contact with the shipowner and regional rescue authorities and is providing support where required. The authority has also confirmed it will investigate the incident. Search efforts involving Philippine vessels and aircraft remain ongoing as authorities race to locate the four missing crewmembers. Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.

Two seafarers dead after cargo ship capsizes and sinks in South China Sea
The Editorial Team January 23, 2026 https://safety4sea.com/two-seafarers-dead-after-cargo-ship-capsizes-and-...

Two seafarers lost their lives and four others are reported missing after a Singapore-flagged cargo ship with 21 crew members on board capsized in the South China Sea.

As reported, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is investigating the sinking of the bulk carrier Devon Bay, which occurred on 23 January while the vessel was en route to Yangjiang, China. According to MPA, 17 of the 21 crew members have reportedly been recovered, with two confirmed fatalities.

China and the Philippines said they launched rescue operations on 23 January after receiving reports of a distressed cargo ship near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, carrying 21 Filipino crew members.

The Chinese military stated that it received a report at around 1.30am on 23 January that a foreign cargo vessel had capsized in waters near the shoal.

Furthermore, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that it has deployed BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408), and two PCG aircraft to conduct search and rescue (SAR) operations for the 21 all-Filipino crew members of M/V Devon Bay, a Singapore-flagged general cargo vessel loaded with iron ore.

As explained, according to initial reports, the vessel’s last known position was recorded at approximately 141 nautical miles west of Sabangan Point, Agno Bay, Pangasinan, at around 8:30pm on 22 January 2026. The PCG received a distress report indicating that the vessel was listing at approximately 25 degrees.

The PCG Command Center received information from the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre that 10 of the 21 Filipino crew members had been rescued by a passing China Coast Guard vessel.

The last known position of the distressed vessel lies within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, where all ships may exercise freedom of navigation under UNCLOS. According to PCG Spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab, the Coast Guard continues to closely monitor the situation and remains fully committed to ensuring the safety of the remaining crew members.

from : https://www.facebook.com/ChinaEmbassyManila/posts/1206783728238198?ref=e...
Chinese Embassy Manila
23h ·

China Coast Guard Rescues 13 Philippine Crew Members After Cargo Ship Capsizes

At 1:34 a.m. on January 23, China Coast Guard received a report from the Maritime Search and Rescue Center of Sansha City, Hainan Province, that a foreign cargo vessel had capsized 55 nautical miles northwest of China’s Huangyan Dao, with a
total of 21 Philippine crew members on board.

China Coast Guard immediately dispatched two vessels to the site for search and rescue. As of now, 13 crew members have been rescued, and rescue operations are ongoing.