‘Queenie’ strands 365 passengers in Bicol ports

LEGAZPI CITY — About 365 passengers were stranded yesterday in two ports in the Bicol region as the Coast Guard suspended sea travel due to typhoon "Queenie."

Sea travel was suspended between the ports of Tabaco City and Virac, Catanduanes after tropical storm "Queenie" intensified into a typhoon, packing winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph).

At 4 p.m. yesterday, "Queenie" was estimated at 360 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora. It was moving westward at 24 kph toward Northern Luzon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has raised typhoon warning signals in provinces in Cagayan Valley, the Cordilleras, Ilocos region, Central Luzon and parts of Bicol.

PAGASA advised residents of these areas, particularly those on the eastern coast of Luzon, to be on alert for landslides, flash floods and storm surges.

"Queenie" is expected to make a landfall over Aurora this morning.

Capt. Rodolfo Isorina, Coast Guard-Bicol commander, said 360 passengers, 10 trucks, four passenger buses, and three vessels were stranded at the Tabaco City port in Albay, while five other passengers, two trucks, a passenger bus and a small car were stranded in Virac. — With Helen Flores