Cargo ship capsizes; oil spill ‘possible’

CEBU, Philippines — A cargo vessel overturned while being docked at a port in San Fernando town, Cebu yesterday afternoon. All 12 crew members were safe.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard Central Visayas, initial investigation revealed that cargo vessel MV Eva Mary Grace capsized at the SEDC port in Barangay South Poblacion when a swell hit the ship while a crane was lifting bags of cement.

This led the vessel to tilt, and then capsize at around 4:30 p.m.

Authorities said an oil spill is possible.

A crew member identified as Manuel Incarnacion, who worked as a crane operator, incurred injuries after he was left inside the vessel when it submerged in the water.

Incarnacion was rescued and brought to the hospital for medical attention.

Apart from him, all the other crew members were safe, according to the PCG.

After receiving report about the incident, the coast guard immediately dispatched its Quick Response Team to the site, composed of Coast Guard Special Operations Unit, medical team and marine environmental Protection unit.

It remained unclear as of this writing whether anyone will be facing liabilities over the incident. (FREEMAN)