Philippine fishers killed after collision with suspected oil tanker in South China Sea

Rescuers retrieve the body of a crew member of a Philippines fishing boat in the South China Sea after a collision with a foreign commercial vessel, believed to be an oil tanker. Photograph: Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)/AFP/Getty Images

Three fishers died after a Philippine fishing boat collided with a foreign commercial vessel in the disputed South China Sea, the Philippine coast guard has said.

The coast guard said the incident happened at about 4.20am on Monday in waters off Scarborough Shoal, according to a crew member on board. Ten fishers survived the incident and were able to seek assistance.