South China Sea Tragedy: Singapore-Flagged M/V Devon Bay Sinks, Two Filipino Sailors Dead

Two Filipino sailors have died and one remains critically injured after the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel M/V Devon Bay capsized in the South China Sea on Friday, January 23, leaving four crew members still missing.

The M/V Devon Bay, carrying 21 Filipino sailors and a cargo of iron ore, sank within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone but outside its territorial waters. The vessel had departed from Gutalac in Zamboanga del Sur province and was bound for Yangjiang, China.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre reported that a passing Chinese Coast Guard ship rescued 17 of the 21 Filipino crew members. The Philippine Coast Guard has deployed two ships and two aircraft in ongoing search operations for the missing sailors.

The capsized vessel is managed by K-Line Roro Bulk Ship Management Co., Ltd. The Chinese Embassy reported that the incident occurred approximately 55 nautical miles northwest of Huangyan Dao, known internationally as Scarborough Shoal.

Authorities emphasized that the vessel sank within Manila’s exclusive economic zone, where foreign vessels are allowed passage under freedom of navigation rules, but law enforcement patrols by foreign ships are prohibited.

This incident marks another serious maritime accident in the South China Sea, highlighting ongoing safety concerns for cargo vessels and the critical role of the Philippine Coast Guard in conducting search and rescue operations.