Passenger-Cargo Ship Sinks Off Philippines, 5 Dead
Five (5) passengers are dead after massive waves sank a passenger-cargo vessel off El Nido in Palawan. 54 others onboard were successfully rescued.
The MV Josille II had 59 people aboard, including crew, although the ship’s records only list 46 passengers. It sunk near Pagawain Island about three hours after leaving the port of Liminancong in Palawan for El Nido. A Navy gunboat and the Coast Guard’s BRP Ilocos Norte took part in rescuing the passengers and recovering the dead. The vessel is owned and operated by Atienza Shipping, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
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Survivors are now onboard Tent Island, El Nido, Palawan and in Liminangcong, Palawan respectively.
The seas in the area have been beaten up by the southwest monsoon and the approaching Storm “Butchoy.” The southern and northern sections of the country are expected to bear the brunt of heavy rains that could trigger floods and landslides, reports the Manila Bulletin.
Initial Report from the Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council