In a significant international maritime rescue operation, the China Coast Guard (CCG) successfully transferred 17 Filipino sailors to Philippine authorities on Sunday following a dramatic cargo ship capsizing near Huangyan Island. The incident, which occurred Thursday night, left 21 crew members in perilous waters approximately 55 nautical miles northwest of the strategic island.
The comprehensive rescue mission began early Friday morning when the CCG received an emergency alert from Sansha’s maritime search and rescue center in Hainan province. Within hours, two specialized vessels—the Dongsha and Sanmen—were dispatched to the disaster zone. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command provided crucial aerial support, deploying military aircraft for continuous surveillance over the vast search area.
Advanced rescue protocols were immediately implemented upon arrival, with crews establishing systematic search grids and employing radar technology, high-intensity illumination, and persistent communication attempts. The operation yielded success as responders located multiple survivors in the water, carefully extracting them from the hazardous conditions.
Medical teams aboard the CCG vessels provided comprehensive emergency care, addressing conditions ranging from dehydration and abrasions to serious water aspiration. Medical personnel performed respiratory clearance procedures, administered wound treatments, and maintained constant vital sign monitoring. A dedicated medical station was established where survivors received warm nourishment and hydration. Despite the trauma, the rescued sailors maintained composure through interpreter-assisted communication and expressed profound gratitude to their rescuers.
The Philippine Coast Guard vessel 9701 joined the operation Friday, collaborating in sector-by-sector search efforts. By midday Friday, 17 individuals had been recovered—15 in stable condition and two deceased. Four crew members remain unaccounted for despite intensive search efforts. The formal handover occurred Sunday afternoon following official coordination between the two nations’ coast guard services.
This operation continues the CCG’s established pattern of international maritime assistance, having previously rescued eight South Korean fishermen in May 2025 during another emergency at sea.