Cargo ship sinks off Batanes

Operatives of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have rescued eight crewmembers of a Panamanian cargo vessel that sank off Itbayat Island in Batanes yesterday.

They were part of 20 crewmembers who were initially declared missing by the PCG.

Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo, PCG spokesman, said efforts to rescue two passengers of M/V Ho Feng 7 who were spotted floating at sea continued last night as 12 more passengers were declared missing as of 7 p.m.

Balilo said the vessel with 5,691 gross tons sent a distress message to the PCG at 4 a.m. while sailing some 55 nautical miles west of Itbayat Island.

Initial reports also said the cargo vessel’s crew managed to send distress message but lost contact.

“We have yet to determine the exact time when the vessel sank and search and rescue (SAR) operations are still ongoing,” said Balilo.