50 rescued after motorbanca capsizes off Davao City wharf

DAVAO CITY — The Philippine Coast Guard rescued 50 passengers onboard a chartered vessel after its engine went dead as it left Sta. Ana wharf here around 7:55 a.m., Sunday, May 18.

Staff Sgt. Sevner Neri, police investigator of the Sta. Ana police station, told the Inquirer by phone that 45 passengers — local tourists, four crew members, and the captain of the Sam Christopher Vessel — were on their way to Talicud Island on Samal Island when the boat suddenly capsized shortly after it left Sta. Ana wharf.

Neri said a rope got entangled in the propeller of the boat, causing the engine to stall and the boat to capsize.

He said, however, all the passengers were already rescued and had been accounted for at past 8 am. Sunday.

The Philippine Coast Guard and the maritime personnel helped in the search and rescue operations. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)