Passenger Ferry Sinks in Philippines, At Least 2 Dead

Photo: Map of Bicol Region, Philippines showing Masbate.

Two ferry passengers are dead, and others are still missing, after the Masbate-bound vessel sank early Friday.

The latest reports state that 52 of the ferry’s 57 crewmembers and passengers listed on the ship’s manifest had been rescued, while three were still missing. However, officials worry that seven divers and their assistants who were traveling for free may not have been listed on the manifest, possibly raising the number of missing passengers.

The ferry, MV Lady Carmel, is a roll-on, roll-off vessel owned and operated by Medallion Shipping. The ship, commonly used for inter-island travel in the Philippines, also ferries cargo, people and vehicles.

The ferry sank off the coast of Burias Island around dawn, just three hours after it left the Pio Duran port in the Bicol region. At the time of the incident, the vessel was also transporting a cargo of two buses and a six-wheeler truck.

Philippine Navy and Coast Guard ships, including helicopters, were dispatched to search for missing passengers.

It is still unclear as to what caused the sinking, as local reports noted good weather. Unfortunately, maritime accidents are common in the Philippines, as it is comprised of over 7,000 islands.