Two Chinese vessels collided in the South China Sea Monday morning while pursuing a Philippine Coast Guard patrol boat near the contested Scarborough Shoal, marking the latest escalation in the region’s mounting maritime tensions. According to Philippine Coast Guard officials, a Chinese Coast Guard cutter and a People’s Liberation Army Navy destroyer crashed into each other at high speed, causing substantial damage to the smaller Chinese vessel.

The dramatic incident occurred approximately 10.5 nautical miles east of Scarborough Shoal as Philippine Coast Guard vessels BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Suluan were escorting a supply ship delivering fuel and provisions to 35 Filipino fishing boats in the disputed waters. Video footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG-3104 aggressively pursuing the BRP Suluan while firing water cannons when PLA Navy destroyer No. 164 suddenly moved between the two vessels, resulting in a head-on collision with a loud crash.