Ferry runs aground in Dumaguete; 200 passengers safe—Coast Guard

Rescuers are trying to attach ropes to MV Zamboanga Ferry of George and Peter Lines so a forklift stationed at the pier in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental can pull the vessel to deeper waters. On board the raft are passengers, who are mostly students coming back to this university city from their Christmas break. /photo by Alex V. Pal, Inquirer Visayas

MANILA, Philippines – A ferry carrying about 200 passengers ran aground in the port of Dumaguete Thursday morning due to strong waves brought by tropical depression “Auring”, the Coast Guard said.

The ferry which came from Zamboanga City and was owned by George and Peter lines incorporated, had run aground as it was docking at port around 10 a.m., CPO Crispin Chiong of the Dumaguete Coast Guard Station said in a phone interview.

Chiong said that the ferry was already at the port and was about to dock but was not properly roped causing strong waves to push it to shallower waters.

He said that all passengers onboard were successfully taken off the ferry.

He said they would wait for the high tide at around 3 p.m. which would allow the ferry to float back into the sea.

All trips have been cancelled due to Auring, Chiong said.