Tragedy unfolded across Philippines as a ferry boat with at least 84 persons aboard sank off Southern Leyte coast in the town of San Ricardo Saturday evening, September 13.
Reports were confusing, but latest information indicates several people confirmed missing, with at least 28 confirmed rescued. The ferry boat, called RORO, was “dead on water” before it sank at around 7 p.m.
Of those rescued, 3 are in the Caraga regional hospital in Surigao City while 25 are in Lipata Terminal also in Surigao, according to Jonas Plasabas Maco, OIC administrator, PRC Southern Leyte chapter.
The Maharlika 2 passenger and vehicle carrier, was travelling from Surigao City to Liloan town, Southern Leyte, a third class municipality in the province of Southern Leyte.
Among the passengers and crew were 56 adults, 2 children, and 26 crew. The ship was also carrying 13 vehicles, according to Southern Leyte Governor Roger Mercado.
At around 4 p.m., the boat’s captain reported a “steering casualty,” which means it was experiencing difficulties in steering the boat.
Two vessels, including a foreign one (M/V Lara Ventura) and Maharlika 4, have been assisting in rescue operations, according to the PDRRMO.
The ship sent a distress signal at 5:30 p.m. that Maharlika 2 was “dead on the water.” It was later reported that an order to abandon the ship, MV Maharlika 2, was given at around 9:00 p.m. when it was buffeted by strong winds and huge waves hours after developing engine trouble in the late afternoon.
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