BREAKING — A dramatic naval incident unfolded near Scarborough Shoal when a Chinese Navy vessel struck a China Coast Guard ship, causing severe damage that rendered it inoperable.

The collision occurred 10.5 nautical miles east of the disputed shoal when the China Coast Guard vessel CCG 3104, in pursuit of the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Suluan, made a risky maneuver and collided with a PLA Navy Luyang-III Class destroyer.

The impact left the coast guard ship badly damaged and unseaworthy. In a rare gesture, the Philippine Coast Guard reportedly offered assistance to the stricken CCG vessel despite ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.

The Scarborough Shoal, claimed by both China and the Philippines, has long been a flashpoint for maritime confrontations, and this latest incident underscores the risks of escalating encounters in the region.