Ferry runs aground off Leyte

MANILA, Philippines—A Cebu-bound passenger ship ran aground in the waters off Merida, Leyte Tuesday night, the Office of Civil Defense said.

MV Super Shuttle Ferry 15 left Ormoc City about 9 p.m. and was reportedly stuck past 11p.m., said Office of Civil Defense Region Director Rey Gozon.

“When the ship was in the vicinity of Merida the engine conked out. The power went out and the ship was just floating until it ran aground near the shoreline of a village in Merida,” he said.

Gozon said that a tugboat and a vessel of the company arrived to rescue the passengers.

The passengers, excluding the crew, were brought back to Ormoc safely at 7 a.m., he said.

Meanwhile, the passenger vessel remained stuck off Merida.