Update: Motorized Banca Bound for Camotes Sinks off Ormoc: 45 Confirmed Dead, 11 Missing

As of this posting, Ormoc City officials said 45 people were confirmed dead, while 11 passengers are still missing after a motorized passenger boat bound for Camotes Island sinks off Ormoc waters Thursday noon.

Officials added there are now 134 survivors.

M/B Kim Nervana, owned by certain Joge Bung Zarco, was carrying 173 passengers when it capsized around 12:00 pm, some 144 kilometers away from Ormoc port.

In a radio report over dySS Thursday, Eastern Visayas Coast Guard district Officer Lt. Christopher Gamet said the boat sunk minutes after it left the port of Ormoc as it travels towards Pilar Camotes.

Gamet added that strong winds and huge waves caused the boat to capsized. As of this posting, rescue is still on going.

All 15 crew of the said boat were rescued.