WAN XIANG 699

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Death toll now at nine

The death toll of the sinking of the 'Hoing Hai 16' hjas risen to nine, while two others were still missing. The local government of Rizal town in Occidental Mindoro confirmed the number of fatalities on April 20, after one more body was recovered at 9:11 a.m. in the vessel's accommodation area. The identity of the victim has not been disclosed. One body was recovered from the wreck earlier the same day, one more on the afternoon of April 19. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in coordination with partner agencies, recovered two more bodies on the afternoon of April 18 during the search, The dredging company Bluemax Tradelink Inc., said it will comply with the cease and desist order that will be issued by the provincial government of Occidental Mindoro. The company has all the necessary permits for the dredging operation, which is one of the ways to ease flooding in the area. The area had been dredged by different vessels three to four times before the 'Hong Hai' 16 arrived.

Death toll climbs to four

The death toll from the capsized of the 'Hong Hai 16' in the vicinity of Barangay Malawaan, Rizal, in Occidental Mindoro, has climbed to four, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on April 17. Divers from the Coast Guard Special Operations Unit – Southern Tagalog (SOU-STL) recovered two more bodies – one from the accommodation area below the wheelhouse at 8:15 a.m. and another body at a cabin located at the main deck at 11:36 a.m. 14 crew members survived the incident while seven others remained missing. The survivors have been requested to assist in the identification of the recently recovered cadaver. The Coast Guard Special Operations Unit – Southern Tagalog conducted on April 17 an underwater SAR operation, while the Coast Guard Marine Environmental Protection – Emergency Response Group Southern Tagalog deployed oil spill booms around the capsized vessel to contain a possible oil spill and ensure the protection of the marine environment. A surface assessment confirmed no visible oil sheen in the vicinity. The Philippine Coast Guard in Southern Tagalog now intensified its ongoing response efforts in search for the remaining missing persons from the vessel. Report with photos: https://maritime-executive.com/article/death-toll-in-chinese-sand-carrier-capsizing-rises-to-four

Three bodies recovered, SAR operation for nine missing crew members continued

On April 16, one of the 10 still missing crew members of the 'Hong Hai 16', which had capsized with 25 crew members, among them 13 Filipinos and 12 Chinese nationals on board, was found lifelessin the waters of Barangay Malaawan, bringing the death toll to two. At approximately 2:30 p.m., Coast Guard divers located and recovered the lifeless body of a 22-year-old Filipino crew member from the bridge area of the vessel. The body was turned over to authorities. Another body was recovered from the capsized ship the same day, bringing the total number of fatalities to three. The victim has not been identified. In the frame of the SAR operation and environmental response, the BRP 'Malabrigo (MRRV 4402)' has arrived at the site to assist with the ongoing operations. oreover, surface search efforts in the vicinity were conducted by Coast Guard Sub-Station Sablayan personnel, while the Special Operations Group held an underwater inspection and search operation. The vessel was found grounded on the seabed. During the underwater inspection, Special Operations Unit Southern Tagalog divers conducted a thorough survey of the amidships section of the wreck. Search efforts were immediately intensified to verify the possible presence of a survivor. Currently, nine crew members remained missing, comprising three Chinese nationals and six Filipinos. The capsized ship has been surrounded by 250 metres of oil spill booms as a precaution,, after a light oil sheen was observed, accompanied by a noticeable marine diesel odor. The vessel was carrying an estimated 2,000 liters of lube oil and 30 tons of automotive diesel oil. The ship’s owner and operator have been formally instructed by the PCG to remove the ship by hiring an accredited salvor. The PCG has also conducted an underwater survey and is currently assessing all potential risks, such as debris obstruction, poor visibility, adverse weather, and underwater cliffs, before proceeding with operations. Report with photo: https://www.philstar.com/nation/2025/04/17/2436737/owner-capsized-ship-occidental-mindoro-told-start-vessel-extraction