Aquino orders probe into capsizing of ferry

President Benigno Aquino III AP FILE PHOTO

President Benigno Aquino III has ordered a “thorough investigation” into the capsizing of a motorized banca off Ormoc City on Thursday, which killed at least 38 passengers.

READ: Capsized Philippine ferry death toll rises to 38; 15 missing

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Aquino is expecting the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to find out what caused the incident.

“We expect a thorough investigation on the part of the PCG to find out what caused the incident,” Valte said in a statement Friday.

She said the PCG has deployed a Maritime Casualty Investigation Team “currently pursuing various avenues of inquiry, including possible overloading, capability of the captain and its officers, load capacity of the vessel, and others.”

On Thursday morning, M/B Kim Nirvana, which was carrying 189 passengers and crew capsized off Ormoc City.

Valte said the search and rescue operation is still ongoing a day after the tragic incident.

“We mourn with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the incident and assure them a speedy and objective investigation,” she said. IDL

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