PN still searching for missing persons in Masbate sinking

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 15): PN still searching for missing persons in Masbate sinking

The Philippine Navy Saturday was still searching for the seven unaccounted passengers of the ill-fated M/V Mt. Carmel which sank off Burias Island, Masbate before dawn of June 14.

This, as the number of fatalities from the mishap stood at two -- Carlota Senga, 58, from Pasay City; and Erlinda Julbitado, 59, from Pasig City.

Of the 58 survivors, only three are still in the hospital. The others have been sent home.

PN spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said the Naval Forces Southern Luzon was continuing the search and rescue operations for the seven still unaccounted passengers of the sunken ship.

Authorities earlier said four people remain unaccounted for but as of Saturday, Office of Civil Defense 5 head Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said seven passengers of the sunken vessel were still missing.

"Navy vessels DF-321 and BRP Simeon Castro (PG-374) are still in the area to conduct search-and-rescue operations while the Navy Islander aircraft will conduct aerial search," Fabic stated.

He added Naval Special Operations Unit 3 was also sending a sea, air, land team to dive and try to locate the sunken vessel and determine if there were still passengers trapped inside.

The M/V Mt. Carmel was sailing on a calm sea when it encountered trouble and sank.

Initial reports said the vessel had 57 people on board, including 35 passengers and 22 crew but it turned out there were at least seven people on board not included in the ship's manifest.

M/V Mt. Carmel left the port of Pio Duran in Albay about 2 a.m. bound to Aroroy, Masbate.

As the vessel reached Burias Island around 5:00 a.m., the vessel took a sharp list and sank, PN sources said.

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