The death toll from a dredging vessel that capsized in the vicinity waters of Barangay Malawaan, Rizal, in Occidental Mindoro, has climbed to four, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Thursday.
Divers from the Coast Guard Special Operations Unit – Southern Tagalog (SOU-STL) recovered two more bodies – one from the accommodation area below the bridge of the capsized vessel at 8:15 a.m. and another body at a cabin located at the main deck at 11:36 a.m., according to the PCG’s yesterday’s report.
At the time of writing this article, four fatalities have been reported (three cadavers found while one died at the hospital).
Meanwhile, 14 crew members survived the incident while seven others remain missing, the PCG said on Thursday.
According to the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog (CGDSTL), the survivors have been requested to assist in the identification of the recently recovered cadaver.
Identification of the recovered individual remains pending, PCG said, and information is being withheld until the next of kin have been properly notified.
The Coast Guard Special Operations Unit – Southern Tagalog, meanwhile, conducted on April 17 an underwater search and rescue operation, while the Coast Guard Marine Environmental Protection – Emergency Response Group Southern Tagalog deployed oil spill booms around the capsized vessel to contain a possible oil spill and ensure the protection of the marine environment.
A surface assessment confirmed -until now- no visible oil sheen in the vicinity.
The Philippine Coast Guard in Southern Tagalog now intensifies its ongoing response efforts in search for the remaining missing persons from the capsized vessel.
