Passenger boat capsizes in Philippines, at least 26 people killed

Saturday, July 29, 2023 09:27 (GMT+7)

(CPV) – As of the morning of July 29, at least 26 people have died after a passenger boat capsized in the waters near the Philippine capital Manila. Meanwhile, rescuers continue to search for the missing.

The Philippine Coast Guard said the boat capsized hours after Typhoon Doksuri swept through the northern Philippines. About 40 people have been rescued so far.

The wooden boat was carrying about 70 people at the time of the accident and was traveling from a port in Binangonan to Talim Island in Laguna Lake, near Manila. According to regulations, boats are only allowed to carry a maximum of 42 people.

Initial reports and witness accounts indicate that strong winds hit the ship shortly after it left port. The strong winds caused panic among passengers on board, causing the vessel to tip over.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said search and rescue operations were still ongoing, while an investigation would be conducted to determine why the ferry was allowed to sail despite carrying more passengers than it was supposed to.

"We will look into whether our staff made any mistakes. We will not tolerate staff mistakes," Mr. Balilo said.

The scene of the ship capsize on July 27 in the Philippines ( Video : The Manila Times)

Initial reports suggest that two coast guard inspectors allowed the ferry to sail after being shown a manifest that listed only 22 passengers, in addition to the ship’s three-member crew. The two inspectors have since been dismissed and will be investigated. Meanwhile, the boat’s captain has admitted that he was carrying more passengers than allowed and that the passengers were not wearing life jackets while on board.

The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands, was hit this week by Typhoon Doksuri, packing winds of up to 175 km/h (108 mph) in the northern part of the country and its most populous island of Luzon. Some ferries and boats were allowed to set sail on July 27 after Doksuri moved away from the Philippines./.

PG (according to The Manila times, CNA)

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