33 passengers rescued from capsized boat off Northern Samar

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

TACLOBAN CITY — All 33 passengers of a motorized boat were rescued after it capsized in the waters off Northern Samar on Wednesday, August 2.

M/B Spirit was on its way to San Antonio, an island town, when it capsized at 8:05 a.m., according to a report from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The boat, which has a 21 gross tonnage, departed from the San Isidro port at 7:50 a.m., but capsized while navigating off San Antonio.

“All the passengers were accounted for and safe after they were rescued by the Coast Guard, local police, and some fishermen, who were in the nearby area,” James Dula of the PCGSan Isidro said in a phone interview.

The rescue group arrived in the area at 8:25 a.m.

Among those rescued were the boat owner and captain, Manuel Batac, 41, and his nine crew members.

According to Dula, a log deposited at the top of the motorboat fell down due to the big waves, hitting its starboard side.

He said four passengers, who were all residents of Barangay Villa Roma, San Antonio, had difficulty in breathing and were brought to the district hospital.

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