Over 200 rescued as boat runs aground off Negros
More than 200 passengers of a ferry that ran aground in the port of Dumaguete City were rescued yesterday.
In a statement, the Coast Guard said the ferry had 242 persons on board.
“Rescue operations are still ongoing and no casualty reported,” read the statement.
Coast Guard Commandant Rear Adm. Rodolfo Isorena said the M/V Zamboanga was attempting to dock when strong waves spawned by a tropical depression washed it to shallow waters after its engine stopped.
The Coast Guardsmen brought all passengers from the ship to safety, he added.
Isorena said rough and choppy waters gave rescuers a hard time securing the passengers.
“No casualty was reported and all the passengers, more or less 228 of them, have been safely rescued,” he said.
As of 4:15 p.m. yesterday all the passengers have been accounted for and the ship stabilized, Isorena said.
The ferry, owned by George & Peter Lines that plies the Mindanao and Visayas route, had come from Zamboanga City.
All vessel operations in provinces that tropical depression “Auring” has affected have been suspended, the Coast Guard said. – Roel Pareño, Helen Flores
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