Sand vessel capsizes; 2 dead, 9 of 25 crewmen still missing
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has launched a search and rescue operation for nine missing crew members of the sand carrier MV Hong Hai 16, which capsized in the waters off Rizal town, Occidental Mindoro province, on Tuesday afternoon.
The death toll stood at two as of press time following the recovery of the body of a Filipino crew member. The other fatality was a Chinese national, said Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, the PCG commander of Southern Tagalog.
Six Filipinos and three Chinese remained unaccounted for as of 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to the PCG, 14 crew members had been rescued—six Filipinos and eight Chinese nationals.
In total, the Chinese-owned ship had 25 crew members—13 Filipinos and 12 Chinese.
The vessel remained “partially submerged” after it overturned near the shores of Barangay Malawaan at 5:20 p.m., the PCG said.
“The PCG remains on-scene and fully committed to ensuring the safety of all individuals involved, while also preparing for any potential environmental impact,” it said, adding that oil spill containment booms were being readied.
Investigation
In February 2023, a tanker carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel sank 369 meters about 14 km northeast of Balisangan Point, Pola, Oriental Mindoro.
The oil spill reached as far as Palawan and Batangas provinces.
The PCG had yet to specify what caused the loaded vessel to capsize while in “moderate sea conditions.”
Hong Hai 16 was reportedly operated by Keen Peak Corp.
The PCG San Jose substation was alerted to the incident by a Bantay Dagat team from Rizal town.
Underwater assessments were conducted in preparation for diving operations, while work to cut an opening into the parts of the vessel had also begun. —WITH A REPORT FROM MADONNA T. VIROLA
