Eighteen Filipino seamen were feared dead when an ore carrier, the Bulk Jupiter, sank off the coast of Vietnam on Friday, January 2. The vessel left Kuantan, Malaysia en route to China and was reportedly loaded with 46,400 metric tons of bauxite on December 30, 2014, with a crew of 19 Filipino seamen. Initial reports said only one survived. Tuoitrenews also reported that Vietnamese maritime forces rescued one and found two bodies of the ship’s crew some 150 nautical miles from southern Vung Tau City. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Charles Jose said the DFA is coordinating with Vietnamese authorities. He said there is yet no verified report on the survivor.

Sabater-Namit, M. (2015, January 4). 18 PH seamen feared lost as ship sinks. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 6.