4 die, 22 missing after vessel capsizes off Batangas
Four persons died when a vessel sank off Saturday night off San Agapito Verde Island, Batangas City, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Sunday.
Search and rescue operations continued for 22 other missing passengers and crews of M/V Baleno-9 of 199.00 GT and 114.00 NT owned by Besta Shipping Lines.
The PCG has yet to disclose the identities of the casualties.
Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant, said a total of 62 persons were rescued.
Initial report revealed the distressed vessel M/V Baleno-9 had on board 14 crews and 74 passengers (for a total of 88 persons on board) and nine rolling cargoes at the time of the incident.
MV Baleno–9, owned and operated by Pedro Ang of Besta Shipping Lines, departed Calapan Pier at 9:30 p.m. Saturday enroute to Batangas.
While underway, the vessel reportedly listed and sank at 10:20 p.m.
Report said M/V Reyna Delos Angeles of Montenegro Shipping and M/V Baleno-3, which were close to the scene of the incident, initiated search and rescue operations while Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog immediately dispatched SARV-3504 and two crafts (DF 308 and DF 310) for the conduct of search and rescue operations.
The PCG Command Center directed the immediate dispatch of additional SAR assets.
Two PCG aircrafts were alerted for air surveillance operations. Coordination was likewise made with Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force to help in the rescue operations.
The Philippine National Red Cross and Saint Patrick hospital also sent ambulances to Batangas port for medical assistance.
Initial inquiry from the survivors of the mishap disclosed that the vessel took in water coming from the bow ramp and severely affected the stability of the vessel, causing it to badly list and eventually sank while traversing the area of Verde island passage. (PNA)
