At least 52 dead says Coast Guard
At least 600 survivors have been rescued since the MV Thomas Aquinas sank after a collision with a cargo ship Sulpicio Express 7, on Friday night.The ferry sank off the central port of Cebuin calm waters.
Coastguard and military vessels helped with the rescue, but the operation has been hampered by rough seas.Navy and coastguard divers struggle against strong currents to enter the wreckage of the ferry, which is about 98 feet under water. Poor weather has hampered the rescue operations.
The collision happened on Friday evening near the central city of Cebu – around 2km (1.2 miles) from the shore.
The MV Thomas Aquinas was carrying 715 passengers and 116 crew, according to the latest coast guard figures.
Survivors reported hundreds of passengers jumped into the ocean as the ferry began to sink. It is estimated 58 babies were among the passengers on board but it is not clear yet how many of them died.
The cargo ship, Sulpicio Express 7, had 36 crew members on board, but it did not sink.
Passengers on the ferry had embarked at Nasipit in the southern province of Agusan del Sur.
The 11,000 tonne ferry was 40 years old, and operated by the Chinese 2G).The 2GO Company stated the ferry “was reportedly hit” by the cargo vessel “resulting in major damage that led to its sinking.” An investigation would begin after the rescue operation.
Maritime accidents are frequent in the Philippine archipelago because of tropical storms, poor maintenace of passenger boats and not adequately enforced safety regulations.
Image source: CBC
Find more information in the following reports
Philippine Coast Guard –Recapitulation of rescued, recovered and missing passengers
The Manilla Times –Death toll from ferry disaster rises to 52
Euronews –Death toll continues to rise after Philippines Cebu ferry collision
BBC News –Philippines ferry crash death toll rises
