1 dead, 14 missing as ship from Myanmar sinks

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and a Chinese vessel rescued yesterday survivors of a Myanmar vessel, which capsized near Sual, Pangasinan on Saturday night.

PCG spokesman Lieutenant Commander Armand Balilo said M/V Arita Bauxite sank near Sual, leaving one person dead, two injured and 14 missing.

The vessel came from Indonesia and was bound for China when the mishap occurred. 

Balilo said the vessel had 24 passengers, and except for the two who were injured, the seven survivors were in good condition.

The two injured crew were airlifted to Poro Point in La Union and brought to Lorna Hospital in San Fernando, also in La Union.

Balilo said the Coast Guard Detachment in Bolinao received a satellite call from  2nd mate Wang Jun of the Chinese vessel M/V Jin Cheng at around 9:20 a.m. yesterday informing them that it rescued seven Myanmar nationals onboard two life rafts.

He said the M/V Arita Bauxite encountered engine trouble and experienced rolling and eventually sank.

The detachment alerted and issued a directive to the Coast Guard Air Group to conduct helicopter evacuation and coordinated with the local government of Bolinao to provide patrol boat to render medical evacuation operations.

Balilo said the patrol boat left at 3:12 p.m. with three coast guard personnel and one civilian boat captain to provide assistance to the victims.