Two Crewmembers from Sunken Cargo Ship Missing off Philippines

A rice cargo ship has collided with a container ship off the southern Philippines, sinking the cargo ship and leaving 2 crewmen missing.

A local Coast Guard station chief reported that the M/V Bulk Carrier 1 collided with the HS Puccini, about 7 nautical miles the Sarangani province.  The collision occurred around 7:42 p.m. while the M/V was heading towards Davao city. The M/V Bulk Carrier 1 was carrying 16,000 bags of rice before sinking off Matil point. 

PHOTO CAPTION:  Map showing location of Sarangani province.

Of the 23 member crew, 21 were rescued from the M/V Bulk Carrier 1, 2 of them in serious condition.  2 more men remain missing, confirmed by Jing Burgos, a representative for the M/V Bulk Carrier 1.  The Coast Guard chief said their operations are primarily focused on locating the missing men, and will investigate the cause of collision when the men are retrieved.

The Coast Guard chief also added that they received a distress call from the HS Puccini around 8:20 and immediately dispatched a team for search and rescue, as well as sending out a medical team, and a marine environmental protection personnel in case of oil leakage.