Philippines Ferry With 251 Passengers Sinks Off Quezon Coast, Many Feared Dead

Update: 4:35 a.m. EST — Coastguard spokesman Armand Balilo confirmed in a statement to Philippines-based GMA News Online 166 passengers out of 251 people onboard the capsized ferry were rescued. He added 4 bodies were recovered from the waters by the rescuers.

Search and rescue mission was still going on and the reason behind the ferry’s capsizing was not confirmed.

Update: 4:30 a.m. EST — Although there have been no official confirmation regarding the number of fatalities onboard the Mercraft 3, some local radio stations reported at least three people onboard the vessel were confirmed dead.

Similar reports also stated 140, out of the total 251 passengers, were rescued. Coastguard spokesman Armand Balilo did not confirm these reports, but said, “We heard about casualties, but we are still trying to get a complete picture.”

Although ferry accidents in Philippines usually happen due to overloading of passengers, such was not the case Wednesday, Balilo confirmed. He added huge waves crashed into the boat that caused it to sink, which might be a result of the tropical storm predicted to hit the mainland on Friday. Due to heavy rains and turbulent waters, rescue boats are facing difficulties in carrying out their mission.

Original story

A ferry with 251 passengers capsized between Dinahican, Quezon and Polilio Island in Philippines on Wednesday. The exact number of casualties is not yet known.

The Coast Guard Station Northern Quezon sent a report to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s main office at 11 a.m. local time Thursday (10 p.m. EST Wednesday) stating the ferry named Mercraft 3 sunk, Rappler reported.

PCG spokesperson Captain Armand Balilo said at a news conference the boat in question was headed toward the remote island of Polillo in rough weather. It had a capacity of 286 passengers but was only carrying 251 people at the time.

"We have heard (there were) casualties, but we're still validating," he said. “We believe the weather was a big factor"

He added there were some boats in the vicinity who were able to rescue some of the 251 passengers onboard the sinking ferry. The exact number of people rescued was not revealed.

Tropical Storm Vinta (Tembin) was forecasted to hit the mainland early Friday but since there were no formal storm warning issued around the destination where the boat was sailing to, it was allowed to make the trip.

Filipino Senator Grace Poe issued the following statement regarding the incident on social media:

The PCG dispatched search and rescue teams from Southern Luzon to Real, Quezon, where the incident took place. Furthermore the PCG also contacted Armed Forces of the Philippines' Southern Luzon Command in Lucena, Philippines, to deploy air and maritime assets in order to aid in the search and rescue mission.