Boat capsizes off Boracay; Chinese tourist dies

MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese tourist died while 27 others were rescued when a boat capsized in the waters off Boracay yesterday.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Hongfang Kuai, 45, died even though rescuers administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 

Three other Chinese tourists – Lu Kuaile, 11; Gao Yue, 24, and Luo Meimei, 60 – were brought to a hospital for treatment. They were declared out of danger.

Nineteen other Chinese citizens, two Filipino tour guides and three boat crewmembers were unhurt.

Initial investigation showed the outrigger of M/B Jocelyn broke off the coast of Barangay Balabag at around 11:02 a.m. due to strong winds.

Last September, seven members of a dragon boat team, three of them women, died when their boat capsized while training in the waters off Sitio Lingganay, Barangay Manoc-Manoc, also in Boracay. 

Fourteen other dragon boat team members were rescued.

The PCG said the victims were paddling in Tulubhan Bay when their boat was hit by big waves and strong winds.