Chinese Sand Carrier Capsizes Off Philippines Coast, Leaving 2 Dead & 9 Missing

A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Barangay Malawaan in Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, when a Chinese-operated sand carrier, MV Hong Hai 16, capsized on April 16, 2025.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has confirmed that two crew members are dead, and nine other remain missing.

The vessel, which was operated by Keen Peak Corp, overturned at around 5:20 am while operating in moderate sea conditions. It was found upside down and partially submerged in shallow waters.

The reason for the sudden capsizing remain unknown, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause.

According to the PCG, the vessel had 25 people on board including 13 Filipinos and 12 Chinese nationals.

Fourteen crew members have been rescued so far, including six Filipinos and eight Chinese.

Unfortunately, two fatalities have been reported: one Filipino and one Chinese national.

Search and rescue teams continue to look for the remaining nine missing crew members- six Filipinos and three Chinese.

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊: PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan PCG, personally led the aerial and site inspection of the incident area following the capsizing of a vessel in the waters off Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, today, 16 April 2025.

✍️https://t.co/ZD55uOJ7pw#DOTrPH🇵🇭#CoastGuardPH pic.twitter.com/FJ5SAjLzZi

— Philippine Coast Guard (@coastguardph) April 16, 2025

The PCG Special operations Group in Southern Tagalog has deployed a team of divers equipped with cutting tools to access parts of the capsized vessel.

They are focusing their efforts on the engine room, where there is still hope that some of the missing crew may have found an air pocket and survived.

Oil spill containment booms are being prepared in case of leakage from the vessel.

PCG personnel remain on high alert, monitoring the site and conducting underwater assessments in preparation for ongoing diving operations.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan led an aerial and site inspection of the incident area on Tuesday.

He was accompanied by Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, Commander of Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog.

Admiral Gavan urged all response units to intensify their efforts and make every possible attempt to locate and rescue the missing crew members.

The PCG said it received the initial alert from a Bantay Dagat team based in Rizal town.

Immediate response actions were taken, including diving preparations and plans to cut openings into sections of the vessel for rescue and recovery.

This incident is similar to another one involving a Chinese dredging vessel that capsized and remained hull-up in Manila Bay in May 2023.

Authorities are working tirelessly to prevent further loss of life and ensure maritime safety.

As of April 17, 2025, the search and rescue operations are ongoing. The PCG remains on the scene and has assured the public that it is doing everything possible to address the situation.

Reference: PCG