Vessels Collide Off Talisay Coast, 24 Dead

A passenger ship sank Friday night after colliding with a cargo ship off the sea waters of Talisay City, Cebu.

According to Rachel Capuno, security escort of 2GO passenger vessel, M/V St. Thomas Aquinas 1 was to dock at 9:30 pm Friday at Cebu port when Sulpicio Express 7 cargo collided with it and sank at 9:00 pm somewhere in Lawis Ledge, Talisay City.

Marine Vessel St. Thomas Aquinas, which was travelling from Surigao and Nasipit, was reportedly carrying 692 passengers. As of 12:31 am Friday, more than 20 passengers were rescued by local fishers in Talisay City, while tens of other survivors were brought to Pier 4. At least six were confirmed dead, one was a child.

Capuno said there was a heavy impact when the cargo vessel hit them, that it only took 30 minutes for MV St. Thomas Aquinas to sink. She said there were several passengers which went with the sinking ship. As of this writing, rescue and retrieval operations were still conducted by authorities and volunteers.

Moreover, as of 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, the death toll remained at 24 while 629 had been rescued, while 217 are still missing.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier reported that the crew of the Suplicio Express 7 were safe and accounted for.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Saturday deployed teams to the site of the collision in Cebu Friday night, to check for and contain possible oil spills. Earlier Saturday, the Philippine Red Cross’ Cebu chapter noted an oil spill amid visibility problems in the area.