MV Hong Hai 16 capsizes, 5 missing, 6 dead

Search and rescue operations continue for five missing crew members from the Philippine-flagged sand carrier MV Hong Hai 16, which capsized off Rizal in Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday afternoon.

The death toll has risen to six after two additional bodies were recovered inside the ship - one found in the accommodation area under the pilot house and another in Cargo Hold No. 1.

Two individuals, a Filipino and a Chinese national, had previously died while fourteen crew members survived; eight of the survivors are Chinese nationals and six are Filipinos.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has intensified its search efforts with additional units including the BRP Malabrigo (MRRV 4402), a 75-ton multi-role response vessel, to support recovery operations.

Underwater assessments by the PCG's Special Operations Group Southern Tagalog are ongoing to identify potential risks such as debris obstruction and underwater cliffs before proceeding with diving operations.

Environmental response teams have deployed oil spill booms around the site as a precautionary measure to mitigate any potential contamination from approximately 2,000 liters of lube oil and 30,000 liters of automotive diesel oil on board.