7,500 passengers stranded in Bicol port

LEGAZPI CITY–Around 7,500 passengers were stranded  at the Matnog port in Sorsogon due to turbulent seas, Rafael Bernardo Alejandro, Office of Civil Defense regional director, said Friday morning.

He said that aside from this there was a shortage of ferry boats operating at the port. At least four ferry boats are operating in Matnog port but these vessels could not operate on a 24-hour basis due to the gale warning issued by the state weather bureau because of a low pressure area in the vicinity of Guian, Eastern Samar.

Ferry boats plying the Matnog-Allen (Samar) route operate only during daytime. Also stranded at the Matnog Port were 251 trucks, 128 buses and 66 cars.

Alejandro said Philippine Coast Guard has suspended maritime operation at Matnog port since Thursday evening due to the harsh sea condition.

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