Seven-day search fails to find Rio worker lost at sea on route to WA

Mining giant Rio Tinto is investigating how a crew member was lost at sea while aboard a bulk carrier on route to Western Australia on Boxing Day.

Rio Tinto, led by chief executive Jakob Stausholm, is investigating the incident. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Rio Tinto is investigating how a crew member was lost overboard from one of its iron ore bulk carriers on route from China to Western Australia.

The mining giant said Gel Aguaviva, a deck fitter on board its bulk carrier RTM Zheng He, was reported missing on Boxing Day.

An extensive and ongoing search and rescue operation over the past seven days has failed to find any trace of the 44-year-old, who is from the Philippines.

Rio said it had it been working with RTM Zheng He ship and crew manager, Anglo Eastern, and relevant authorities on a search operation led by the Philippine Coast Guard.

The coast guard said Mr Aguaviva was last seen on the port side main deck on the morning of December 26 when the ship was about 110 nautical miles north-west of Zamboanga City Pier.

The carrier was in international waters when Mr Aguaviva was reported missing. It is understood no one saw him go overboard.

Rio chief executive Jakob Stausholm said it was a distressing situation and thanked all involved in the search efforts.

“Our thoughts are with Gel’s family, friends and colleagues, and we stand with everyone affected by this distressing situation,” he said.

“We are focused on offering all possible support during this difficult time.We would like to thank everyone involved in the search for their tireless efforts.”

The RTM Zheng is one of 17 ships in the Rio fleet and was on its way to WA’s Pilbara coast to load iron ore destined for Chinese steelmakers.

Rio said it was co-operating with relevant authorities and the ship’s manager on investigations into the incident as well as conducting its own investigation.

The incident came at the end of a tragic 2024 for Rio. Four employees died when a charter flight crashed on its way to the Diavik diamond mine in Canada last January.

And a worker employed by a contracting company was killed at Rio’s Simandou iron ore project in Guinea in October in an incident that is also under investigation.

The 2024 deaths came after five fatality-free years across Rio’s global operations.