A Chinese-operated sand carrier, the Hong Hai 16, capsized off the coast of Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, prompting a rescue operation to find survivors. The vessel was operating in moderate seas when it capsized at around 0520 hours on Tuesday morning. Of the 25 crew members on board, 14 have been rescued, including six Philippine nationals and eight Chinese seafarers. Tragically, two crew members have been confirmed dead, while nine remain missing, including three Chinese and six Philippine nationals. The cause of the casualty is still being investigated.
The Philippine Coast Guard’s Special Operations Group Southern Tagalog has deployed a team of divers with cutting gear to assist in accessing the capsized vessel, which is floating keel up with an even trim and partially submerged. There is hope that some crew members may have survived in the engine room. The PCG is fully committed to ensuring the safety of all individuals involved and is also preparing for any potential environmental impact. PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan visited the scene for an aerial and site inspection, urging response teams to make every effort to save any survivors.
In a similar incident in May 2023, a Chinese dredging vessel capsized and floated hull-up for days in Manila Bay. The current rescue operation for the Hong Hai 16 is ongoing, with rescuers working diligently to locate any remaining survivors and determine the cause of the capsizing. The PCG’s efforts are focused on ensuring the safety of all individuals involved and mitigating any potential environmental impact from the incident.
