Search and rescue operations continue for 19 missing fishermen

MANILA, Philippines — Search and rescue operations continued for the 19 missing crew of fishing boat FB Hope Chirsty on Friday, a day after the boat capsized in the waters off Romblon at the height of the onslaught of Tropical Storm “Juaning”, a spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard said.

Lieutenant Commander Algier Ricafrente said that they have deployed three vessels: Coast Guard vessel BRP EDSA, TB-271 and BRP Corregidor (AE-891); an islander plane and a helicopter in their efforts to rescue the victims.

He said that coast guard units near the area were also assisting in the search and rescue operations. They have also started disseminating information of the incident to the nearby coastal villages.

The FB Hope Christy, which carried 32 fishermen, sank in the waters off Masbate and Sibuyan Island in Romblon last Wednesday. Thirteen of them have been rescued and were taken to the Municipal Hospital of Balud in Masbate.

Authorities are still looking into what may have caused the accident.