High Seas Tension: Rescue Operations Amidst South China Sea Dispute

China and the Philippines initiated rescue operations after a cargo ship with 21 Philippine crew members capsized near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Two crew members died, 17 were rescued, and rescue efforts continue amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions in the contentious maritime region.

China and the Philippines sprang into action on Friday, launching rescue operations for a distressed cargo ship near the Scarborough Shoal in the heavily disputed South China Sea. The ship was carrying 21 Philippine crew members when it capsized, prompting swift responses from both nations.

The Chinese military reported that the incident led to two fatalities, while 17 crew members were successfully rescued. They dispatched search aircraft and enlisted the Chinese Coast Guard's assistance, deploying two vessels to intensify the rescue efforts. Additional rescue forces were also mobilized to the area.

The Philippine Coast Guard coordinated two vessels and two aircraft in a bid to save the crew aboard the Singaporean-flagged vessel headed for Yangjiang, China. Meanwhile, the geopolitical backdrop remains tense, with China's expansive claims over the South China Sea causing friction with multiple neighboring countries, including the Philippines.

(With inputs from agencies.)