Archive · 23 Jan 2026
China, Philippines Rescue Crew Near Scarborough Shoal
A cargo ship with 21 people from the Philippines tipped over in the water near Scarborough Shoal.
Both China and the Philippines sent ships and planes to help.
So far, 13 people have been saved, and the rescue teams are still working to find the rest.
Scarborough Shoal is a place that both countries argue over, but they worked together to save the people in danger.
The cargo ship was going to a city in southern China and was carrying iron ore.
It is flagged from Singapore.
China and the Philippines launched rescue operations for a distressed cargo ship near Scarborough Shoal.
The cargo ship, carrying 21 Philippine crew members, capsized in waters near the shoal.
Thirteen crew members have been rescued so far, with rescue efforts continuing.
Both the Chinese and Philippine Coast Guards deployed vessels and aircraft for the rescue.
Scarborough Shoal is a contested maritime feature, often a flashpoint in disputes over sovereignty and fishing rights.
- Who
- Chinese Coast Guard and Philippine Coast Guard
- What
- Rescue operation for distressed cargo ship crew
- When
- January 23, 2024
- Where
- Near Scarborough Shoal, South China Sea
- Why
- Cargo ship capsized with 21 Philippine crew members
China
Philippines
Sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal
China
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including Scarborough Shoal, as its territory.
Philippines
The Philippines, along with other Southeast Asian nations, contests China's claims and asserts its own rights over the area.
Recent Incidents
China
China accuses the Philippines of illegal intrusions into its airspace over Scarborough Shoal.
Philippines
The Philippines maintains that its actions are within its rights and that China's claims are excessive.
- Location
- Scarborough Shoal, South China Sea
- Rescued Crew Members
- 13
- Total Crew Members
- 21
- Rescuers
- Chinese Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard
- Vessels Deployed (China)
- 2
- Vessels Deployed (Philippines)
- 2
- Aircraft Deployed (Philippines)
- 2
- Time of Incident Report
- 1:34 am on Friday (1734 GMT Thursday)
Sources
China coast guard says it rescued Philippine crew near Scarborough Shoal
China says it rescued Philippine crew from cargo ship near Scarborough Shoal
China, Philippines launch rescue missions for distressed cargo ship near Scarborough Shoal
China rescues 13 Filipino sailors in disputed South China Sea
Two dead, 17 rescued after boat capsizes near disputed shoal: Chinese military