Coast Guard searching for missing passenger of motor banca that capsized off Lapu Lapu City

Members of the Philippine Coast Guard in Central Visayas look for the missing passenger of a motor banca that capsized Tuesday off Lapu-Lapu City. | Photo courtesy of PCG Central Visayas

CEBU CITY––The Philippine Coast Guard in Central Visayas (PCG-7) is conducting a search-and-rescue operation to recover a missing passenger of an unnamed motor banca that capsized Tuesday in Hilutungan Channel off Lapu-Lapu City.

Eight passengers had been rescued by cargo vessel MV Seaborne Cargo 5, which happened to pass by the area. Another one was able to swim to the shore safely.

Ten passengers were reported onboard the unnamed motor banca.

Lt. Junior Grade Erick Salcedo, PCG-7 spokesperson, said only one person was unaccounted for. They have dispatched several Coast Guard vessels with a medical team for the search-and-rescue operation.

Salcedo said the motor banca departed from Olango Island enroute to Lapu-Lapu City when it encountered huge waves at 2:16 a.m.

The crew of MV Seaborne Cargo 5 bound for Tagbilaran, Bohol, rescued most passengers while drifting at sea.

Initially, two persons were missing, but later, a survivor was located in Punta Engaño in Lapu-Lapu City.

PCG-7 was getting more details on the incident. They were also verifying the identities of the passengers of the ill-fated motor banca.

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