40 Filipinos safe after ship collision with Chinese boat in Singapore Strait — DMW

MANILA — Forty Filipino seafarers were on board the Panama-flagged bulk carrier “First Margaux” that collided with a Chinese fishing vessel in the Singapore Strait on September 17, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said. 

Viral videos showed panicked boat personnel after the huge cargo ship collided with their vessel. Social media users noted that some of the screams heard in the videos were in Ilocano.

“There have been no reports of any injury of the 40 Filipino seafarers on board,” DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said at the sidelines of the Philippine Maritime Convention 2026.

“At this stage, we are gathering information on the licensed manning agency but assured we have identified all 40 seafarers by name,” he added. 

It was not immediately clear whether there were also Filipinos in the Chinese fishing boat.

Singapore authorities are also investigating the incident.

The DMW said the government was strengthening protection for Filipino seafarers, who account for one in every five seafarers globally.

The agency said it was providing free repatriation, especially for the high risk areas in the Strait of Hormuz and the Northern Black Sea.