Seven passengers died while 31 persons were rescued from two pump boats that capsized off Iloilo and Guimaras Strait yesterday afternoon, the Philippine Coast Guard said.
The casualties were six women and a man, the Coast Guard said. Thirteen individuals remain missing.
Motorboats “Che-Che” and “Keziah,” according to the Coast Guard, were transiting Farola Wharf in Iloilo to Jordan Wharf in Guimaras when they were battered by sudden strong winds and capsized.
Fifty-one persons were on both vessels. Che-Che was carrying 43 passengers and four crew members while motorboat Keziah had no passenger onboard but had four crew members.
The PCG-Iloilo said the incident happened at 12:15 p.m.
Search and rescue operations to find the remaining passengers and crew members were under way.
PCG-Iloilo has yet to identify the casualties and survivors.
Men from PCG-Iloilo onboard BRP Cape Engano are on the site for search and rescue.
Other Coast Guard vessels were also deployed to the area, PCG spokesman Capt. Armand Balilo said. (Betheena Kae Unite)
