Sand carrier vessel capsizes off Occidental Mindoro; 1 dead, 10 missing
Occidental Mindoro. INQUIRER FILES
CITY OF CALAPAN, Oriental Mindoro — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Wednesday, that a sand carrier vessel, Motor Vessel (MV) Hong Hai 16, has capsized and is partially submerged in the waters off Rizal town in Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday afternoon, April 15.
The PCG launched a search and rescue operation after the incident in the waters off Barangay Malawaan at 5:20 pm., according to a statement issued by the agency on its social media page.
The vessel was initially reported to be operated by Keen Peak Corporation and had 25 crew members (13 Filipinos and 12 Chinese) when it capsized under moderate sea conditions, the PCG said.
A total of 14 crew have survived—six Filipinos and eight Chinese—while one Chinese has been recovered dead. Ten individuals — seven Filipinos and three Chinese — are still missing.
The PCG coordinated with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for the potential deployment of oil spill containment booms in anticipation of an oil slick.
Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, including underwater assessments and preparation for diving operations and cutting work by the Coast Guard Special Operations Group Southern Tagalog.
According to PCG, the vessel remains upright but partially submerged, with possible trapped personnel in the engine room.
READ: PCG launches search for 10 missing crew of Chinese ship
