17 rescued Filipino sailors handed over

After more than two days of search and rescue efforts, the China Coast Guard successfully transferred 17 rescued Filipino crew members to the Philippines on Sunday afternoon.

The crew was pulled from the water after their cargo ship capsized near China's Huangyan Island on Thursday night. Two of the 17 rescued people have died, and four others remain missing.

At 1:34 am on Friday, the CCG received notification from the maritime search and rescue center of Sansha, Hainan province, stating that a foreign cargo ship had capsized 55 nautical miles northwest of Huangyan Island, barrying 21 Filipino crew members. The CCG immediately dispatched two vessels, the Dongsha and Sanmen, to begin search and rescue operations.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command also responded swiftly, mobilizing resources and arranging military aircraft for continuous aerial searches over the affected waters.

Upon arrival, the rescue vessels quickly demarcated search zones and conducted thorough inspections using radar scanning, full-area searchlight illumination, and high-frequency communication calls. Hours later, rescuers spotted several individuals floating and transferred them onto the coast guard ships.

On board, CCG medical personnel promptly provided survivors with water and items to keep warm. For those suffering from water aspiration, abrasions, and dehydration, professional treatments, including respiratory tract clearance, wound disinfection and bandaging, and vital sign monitoring, were administered.

A severely ill crew member received emergency care, and a dedicated rest area was set up, with warm porridge and drinking water provided. Through interpreters, the crew remained calm and expressed gratitude to the CCG.

"We are happy to be rescued. Thank you very much, China Coast Guard," said a rescued crew member.

Once the Philippine Coast Guard vessel 9701 arrived at the scene, it took part in the sector-by-sector search and rescue operations. By noon on Friday, a total of 17 people had been rescued, with 15 in stable condition and two deceased. At the Philippine side's request, the CCG handed over the rescued on Sunday afternoon.

This operation exemplifies the CCG's regular maritime emergency response work. The CCG has previously rescued distressed foreign personnel on multiple occasions, earning widespread international recognition. In May 2025, a CCG vessel rescued eight South Korean fishermen whose boat encountered trouble at sea.