Death toll in ship collision now at 63; 57 still missing

MANILA, Philippines – Recovered bodies from the search operations of the ill-fated passenger ship in Cebu last week increased to 63, authorities said on Tuesday.

As of 11:25a.m., 63 bodies were retrieved while 57 remained missing. The rescued passengers were still at 750.

The MV Thomas Aquinas collided with MV Sulpicio Express 7 off Talisay last Friday. Both had over 800 passengers and crew.

The province of Cebu was also placed under state of calamity on Monday due to the oil spill from the sunken ship.