The Devon Bay bulk carrier sank near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea while en route from the Philippines to the port of Yangjiang, China.
The vessel was flying the Singapore flag. There were 21 crew members on board, all Filipino citizens.
According to official reports, the vessel encountered difficult navigation conditions during the voyage. Water ingress into the hull was detected, leading to a loss of stability and buoyancy. Despite emergency measures taken, the vessel sank.
👥 As a result of the search and rescue operation:
- 17 crew members were rescued, most of whom are in satisfactory condition, and one sailor received medical treatment;
- 2 crew members died;
- 4 sailors are listed as missing.
Search and rescue efforts were conducted jointly by China and the Philippines, involving patrol vessels and aircraft. The operation took place in an area with overlapping territorial claims, but this did not affect the coordination of efforts by both parties.
The South China Sea is one of the busiest and most challenging shipping areas in the world.
📌 The investigation into the cause of the accident continues as usual. Search efforts for the missing crew members are ongoing as of the latest official information.