3,500 stranded in Eastern Visayas in wake of ‘Agaton’

ORMOC CITY — At least 3,583 passengers were stranded after the Coast Guard barred 23 vessels from sailing from Eastern Visayas because of tropical depression “Agaton.”

Also affected were 129 buses and cargo trucks that were heading to Luzon and Mindanao from the ports of Southern Leyte, Leyte and in Northern Samar, according to the report from the Philippine Coast Guard in Region Eight.

At least 10 vessels also took shelter from the storm.

Five of these dropped anchor off Palompon town, two in Isabel town, two in Hilongos and another in Isabel, all in Leyte province, said Cmdr. Laurence Roque, Coast Guard -Eastern Visayas spokesperson.

Among those stranded were students who were lining up at the offices of shipping firms in Ormoc City, Leyte, hoping to get a ticket for Cebu since classes were expected to resume this week

With all trips already fully booked since Dec. 31, shipping firms had to reschedule due to Agaton. /cbb