CARGO SHIP SINKS NEAR SCARBOROUGH SHOAL; 2 FILIPINO CREWMEN DEAD

A SINGAPOREAN-FLAGGED cargo vessel sank near Scarborough Shoal leaving two Filipino crewmen dead while search and rescue operations continue for those still missing.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Friday afternoon said responding Chinese maritime authorities were able to pull out of the waters a total of 17 seafarers, 14 of whom are in stable condition while one is under medical emergency treatment.

The Embassy said rescue efforts are currently underway for the missing crewmen.

It added that China maritime authorities are organizing additional rescue teams to rush to the accident site.

The cargo vessel was en route to Guangdong, China from the Philippines when it overturned about 55 nautical miles off Scarborough Shoal.

The maritime search and rescue center in Hainan Province immediately launched a rescue operation after receiving the report.

According to the Chinese Embassy, military aircraft were deployed to conduct continuous aerial searches over the incident area while two nearby China Coast Guard vessels were ordered to proceed to the scene to help in the rescue efforts.