Ferry boat sinks at Leyte wharf

A passenger-cargo vessel sank at the wharf of Isabel, Leyte last Saturday afternoon as 79 people on board were about to disembark from the ship.

The M/V Melrivic 3 of the E.B. Aznar Shipping Corp., which left Danao City at 9 a.m. on the same day, was already docked at the Pingag Wharf when it capsized.

Although the incident sent passengers into panic, no one was reported injured and the Coast Guard declared that all persons on board were safe.

The cause of the sinking is still being investigated.

The ship was carrying three 10-wheeler trucks, six four-wheel vehicles and a mini-cruiser. A total of 55 passengers and 24 crew members, including the captain, were on board the vessel when it suddenly sank.

Coast Guard operations chief Jaime Sagario said Leyte station commander Simplicio Agosar has initiated an investigation into the incident.

"We just have to wait for the outcome of the investigation," Sagario said.

The Coast Guard immediately sent three frogmen Saturday night to Leyte to conduct an underwater inspection.

An independent group of divers based in Leyte also volunteered to help in the investigation, Sagario said.