More Bodies Recovered, 68 Still Missing

At least nine bodies were retrieved in an on-going search and rescue operation following the tragic sinking of 2GO’s MV St. Thomas Aquinas after it collided with MV Sulpicio Express Siete along the Lawis Ledge of Talisay City, Cebu last Friday night.

The total count of casualties as of noontime Monday has reached to 52, while the missing bodies were down to 68. The search and retrieval operation was temporarily halted at 12 p.m. Monday due to big waves caused by Habagat winds.

Meanwhile, Frs. Tito Soquiño and Murphy Sarsonas of the Knight-Stewards of the Sea, Inc. (Seaknights) blessed the site of the incident at around 12 pm. The two priests, along with the Seaknights divers, went down to the area where MV St. Thomas Aquinas sank at 27 meters below, to bless the site. They also led the offering of flowers to the victims of the deadly collision.

Marine Vessel St. Thomas Aquinas which was sailing from Surigao, was scheduled 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, Cebu.