By Chen Dianhong, Wang Shuai and Sun Qifei

BEIJING, Jan 24 -- The China Coast Guard had rescued 17 Filipino crew members by 6 pm on January 23 after a cargo ship capsized in the South China Sea. Fifteen of those rescued were in stable condition, while two were confirmed dead.

The China Coast Guard received a report at 1:34 am on Friday from the Sansha maritime search and rescue center in Hainan province that a foreign cargo ship had capsized about 55 nautical miles northwest of Huangyan Island.

The vessel was carrying 21 Filipino crew members. The China Coast Guard immediately dispatched two ships to the area to conduct search and rescue operations. The China Coast Guard would continue rescue efforts in the waters where the incident occurred and is providing the rescued crew members with food, medical checkups and places to rest to ensure their safety.