Philippines ferry capsize toll rises to 50 : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

Philippines ferry capsize toll rises to 50

MANILA (Philippines): Rescuers today retrieved five more bodies from a ferry that capsized just moments after departing from a central Philippine port, raising the death toll to 50.

Philippines ferry capsize toll rises to 50

Rescuers tie a rope at the capsized vessel MBCA Kim-Nirvana to pull it towards the shore near a port in Ormoc city, central Philippines, on July 3, 2015. — Reuters



Manila (Philippines), July 3

Rescuers today retrieved five more bodies from a ferry that capsized just moments after departing from a central Philippine port, raising the death toll to 50.

The bodies were recovered hours after coast guard spokesman Cmdr. Armand Balilo said all 187 passengers and crew members on the M/B Kim Nirvana had been accounted for, with 45 dead, 142 survivors and no reports of anyone else missing. The vessel overturned in choppy waters on Thursday off Ormoc City.

Balilo said the new bodies were found after a floating crane pulled the 36-ton wooden vessel close to shore.

The additional fatalities raised questions about the number of people on board, and Balilo said they will have to recheck the number of survivors and investigate if the crew allowed people not on the manifest to board the ferry.

The outrigger was leaving Ormoc port en route to one of the Camotes Islands, about 30 kilometers to the south, when it was lashed by strong waves and capsized, he said.

The captain and some of the crew are in custody pending an investigation, Balilo said.

“Among the things we will look into is if there was a faulty maneuver, the stability of the vessel, and of course the weather,” he added.

Regional coast guard commander Capt. Pedro Tinampay told DZBB radio in Manila that the movement of cargo inside the ferry may have contributed to the accident. The ferry was carrying heavy construction materials and bags of rice.

Ormoc, a regional economic and transportation hub of about 200,000 people, is located in a disaster-prone eastern region that is regularly hit by some of the approximately 20 tropical storms and typhoons that blow in from the Pacific each year. — AP

Top News

Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in UP's Banda orders judicial inquiry into death of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari

UP court orders judicial probe into Mukhtar Ansari’s death

The CJM has sought the probe report within a month

‘Heart attack or poisoning’: The life and times of Mukhtar Ansari—crime and politics

‘Heart attack or poisoning’: The life and times of Mukhtar Ansari—crime and politics

Eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh are among the poorest regions...

Alka Rai, widow BJP MLA killed by Mukhtar Ansari, says 'justice has been served', visits Ram Mandir

Alka Rai, widow BJP MLA killed by Mukhtar Ansari, says 'justice has been served', visits Ram Mandir

Alka Rai is the wife of MLA Krishanand Rai, who was shot dea...

Cash-strapped Congress gets fresh IT notice of Rs 1,700 crore, say party insiders

Cash-strapped Congress gets fresh I-T notice of Rs 1,800 crore

Ajay Maken addresses a press conference

Special court convicts 7 people in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case

Special court convicts 7 people in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case

The proceedings against Atiq Ahmad, his brother and prime ac...


Cities

View All