Europe Asia News

Romel Dua, operations commander for the Philippine Coast Guard’s Southwestern Mindanao District, said in a radio interview that at least 219 passengers had been rescued, while 43 people were still missing at the time of publication.

The vessel was carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members when it sank at around 1:50 a.m. on Monday, approximately 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan’s Hadji Muhtamad area.

Initial reports indicated that the ship’s lower deck was flooded by large waves, causing the vessel to list. An off-duty crew member said he was awakened by a colleague who noticed the ship tilting.

Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman said in a separate statement that 223 passengers, including four bodies found in body bags, were brought to the port of Isabela City, while the remaining bodies were transferred to Zamboanga City.

Hataman noted that the provincial government had mobilized its resources to assist survivors and the families of the deceased.