A Filipino and Chinese crew were killed as two foreign-flagged vessels collided in the water off Corregidor Island on Friday night, April 28.

(Two foreign-flagged vessels collided in the vicinity waters off Corregidor Island on April 28, 2023. Photo courtesy of PCG)

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) identified the involved vessels as MV Hong Hai 189, a Sierra Leone-flagged dredger, and MT Petite Soeur, a Marshall Island-flagged oil tanker.

Rear Adm. Armando Balilo, PCG spokesperson, said the collision occurred at 9:30 p.m. which resulted to the sinking of MV Hong Hai 189.

The fatalities were among the 20 crew members of MV Hong Hai 189.

Their identities have yet to be disclosed but one of them was a Chinese seaman whose body was recovered at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, April 29, during a search and rescue (SAR) operation, while the other was a Filipino safety officer who died while being treated at the Bataan General Hospital for injuries.

Meanwhile, 15 other crew members of MV Hong Hai 189 were rescued: three of them are Filipinos and 12 are Chinese. Three other crew members – all Chinese – remained missing.

As for MT Petite Soeur, Balilo said all 21 crew members were safe and in good physical condition. The vessel sustained no significant damage and was anchored in Mariveles, Bataan.

Balilo said rescue vessel Heng Da 19 responded to the incident and rescued the distressed crew members of MV Hong Hai 189.

The PCG, on the other hand, dispatched one of its vessels, several aluminum boats, and rubber boats while the Coast Guard Aviation Force conducted an aerial survey to assist in the ongoing SAR operations.

“The SAR operations for the last three missing crew of MV Hong Hai 189 continue,” Balilo said.

“The authorities will conduct a port state control inspection to MT Petite Soeur to hold and detain the vessel,” he added.

MV Hong Hai 189 made its last port call in Botolan, Zambales while MT Petite Soeur’s was in Mariveles, Bataan, according to PCG.