1 week ago
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CEBU CITY — An overloaded pump boat carrying 51 passengers and crew members sank off the coast of Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City, on Feb. 25 after being struck by large waves.
The motorized boat, MB Ningning, which exceeded its 20-person capacity, encountered rough waters near Barangay Caw-oy, causing it to take on water and eventually sink.
City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Nagiel Bañacia said many of the passengers were fiesta-goers from Barangay Caubian who overcrowded the boat due to a lack of available transportation that morning.
As the vessel went down, passengers called for help. Relatives and local fishermen were the first to respond, using their motorboats to rescue those stranded in the water.
The Lapu-Lapu City rescue team, Olango Coast Guard Station, Philippine National Police Maritime Group and barangay public safety officers from Caw-oy, Tingo, Baring and Sabang later reinforced the rescue efforts.
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Data sent to The Manila Times showed that all 51 people on board, including seven children and an elderly passenger, survived.
Rescuers identified the boat captain as Jesse Daño, with Joram Barong and Jerome Bangcale as crew members.
Authorities brought the rescued passengers to the Olango Mini City Hall, where they received medical care, food and clothing.
"All 51 passengers, including the crew, have been rescued from the sunken pump boat. Praise God," said Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan in a Facebook post.
