36 dead, several injured as banca capsizes off Ormoc City

On our way to Ormoc City for Business Presentation!!! Pero ito ang nakita namin!!!! A boat from Ormoc to Camotes Island…

Posted by Maimai Montajes on Wednesday, July 1, 2015

At least 36 persons died and several others injured after a motor banca bound for Pilar, Camotes capsized off Ormoc City a few minutes after it left Ormoc port.

The Coast Guard said strong waves tipped over the MB Kim Nirvana-B which carried 173 passengers based on the vessel’s passenger manifest.

Rescue teams from Ormoc City are still looking for 30 people as some of them were brought to a hospital in Ormoc City. They had to use rubber boats to ride out the strong waves.

About 50 passengers were debriefed at the Supercat terminal in Ormoc port, the Ormoc City Disaster Risk Reduction Office said. The vessel left the port at noon and capsized 10 minutes later.

Most of the passengers are teachers of Pilar National High School who went to Ormoc to enjoy after they received their productivity enhancement incentive said Milagros Roshe, a family of some passengers.

She said two of her relatives were among those who were not able to survive. She said the school principal of Pilar National High School, Sonia Moreno was among the casualties.

The incident occurred just as the Mactan office of the state weather bureau Pagasa advised travelers to exercise caution following the entry of Tropical Storm Egay into the country.

Pagasa Visayas Director Oscar Tabada cautioned the public to watch out for heavy rains, strong winds and lightning with Egay’s entry into the Philippines.

Posted by Serbisyo Publiko sa Radyo on Thursday, July 2, 2015

BREAKING NEWS: Usa ka passenger boat nga MB Nervana nga padung Poblacion Pilar Camotes ang natikyaob sa kadagatan sa Ormoc. 173 ng inisyal nga pasaherp ang sakay. By: John Kevin Pilapil/SPSR

Posted by Serbisyo Publiko sa Radyo on Wednesday, July 1, 2015