22 rescued, 10 still lost in sea mishap

BACOLOD CITY — Rescuers have found 22 more survivors of a motor launch which, battered by huge waves spawned by typhoon "Weng," sank off Pala—wan last Sunday, leaving 10 more passengers still missing.

Earlier reports said five other passengers were rescued and that 34 others were missing.

Bernabe Ganancial, 71, owner of ill-fated M/L Susan, succumbed to heart failure while being escorted along with eight survivors to Culasi town in Antique.

Ganancial was suffering from asthma, according to his son-in-law Fred Fernandez.

The most tragic story was that of Fedelina de la Concepcion, who told rescuers that she had to toss into the sea the decomposing bodies of her children — Jonalyn, 10, and Jason, 5, who both died while they were aboard a life raft.

Meanwhile, the aerial search by members of the Negros Occidental provincial disaster team will continue, Gov. Joseph Maranon said.

He said cargo vessels are not supposed to take on passengers. M/L Susan took on passengers in Sipalay City last Saturday after unloading 200 sacks of salt from Guimaras.

The 22 survivors are expected to be brought here his afternoon, after which they will be transported to Cauayan, Hinobaan and Sipalay City where they all hail from.