(Eagle News) – At least 31 people died after three passenger boats capsized in rough seas between Iloilo and Guimaras, while at least 65 people were rescued on Saturday, August 3, 2019, authorities said.
According to a report from the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), the latest count of 31 dead was updated after two more bodies were recovered in waters off Dumangas, Iloilo on Tuesday, August 6.
The Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office earlier identified the passenger boats which capsized on Saturday as MB JennyVince, the MB Chichi, and the MB Kezhia. The passenger boats were plying the Iloilo City-Guimaras route.
Six of the victims were already identified.
The joint command center of the various agencies, including the Guimaras Provincial Disaster Rirsk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) helping in the rescue operations are currently consolidating reports on those rescued, missing, and the number of the victims.
They identified the six fatalities as follows: Rochel Solteris, 18 years old from Jordan, Guimaras; Claire Faith Segovia, 32 years old of Brgy. San Roque Nva Valencia, Guimaras; baby Jairus James Alejado, 2 yrs old, of Mandurriao, Iloilo City; Adona Java De Leon of Mandurriao; Jhenloyd Salanatin, 9 years old, male from Mandurriao; and Angelita Basco, 51 years old, of Jordan, Guimaras.
Authorities also found one dead body on Guimaras island
There were at least 37 who were rescued from the capsized boats.
Some of them were brought to the Jubilee Hall in Iloilo City where they were being assisted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as well as other government agencies and volunteers.
Some of the rescued passengers were also in the joint command center, according to an Eagle News Service correspondent in Iloilo City who was at the scene of the rescue operations.
As of Saturday afternoon, August 3, rescue operations conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard still continued.
The Region 6 Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has already sought the help of the Philippine Navy for the search rescue of those still at sea.
MB JennyVince reportedly has 34 passengers and four crew members on board when it capsized. MB Chi-Chi had 43 passengers and four crew members, while MB Kezhia had four crew members.
At least 593 passengers were stranded at the Parola wharf as of Saturday night, August 3.
(Based on a report by Kian Rose, Eagle News Service correspondent in Iloilo)
