Divers clearing compartments of sunken ship to locate more bodies

MANILA, Philippines - Divers from the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard are now clearing debris from the compartments of the sunken M/V Thomas Aquinas I in a bid to locate the 40 passengers and crewmen who are still missing after the ship sank last August 16.

The ship collided with M/V Sulpicio Express 7 off the coast of Talisay City in Cebu. At least 80 people were killed.

Navy Spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. gregory Fabic said the operation started 8 a.m. on Saturday.

He said that the divers are also hoping to find more bodies trapped inside the vessel.

Fabic added that a 130-strong Central Command contingent is still conducting oil spill cleanup in Cordova, Cebu.