71 dead, 49 missing in Cebu ship collision

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 71 people have been recovered dead in search and rescue operations launched following the collision between a cargo vessel and a passenger ship near a sea port in Talisay City, Cebu, the Philippince Coast Guard (PCG) reported Wednesday.

The PCG said that as of 8:15 a.m., divers and rescue teams were still searching for 49 passengers and crewmembers of MV St. Thomas Aquinas of the 2Go Group Inc.

A total of 750 passengers of the ill-fated ferry have been rescued alive.

The 2Go ferry sank after colliding with MV Sulpicio Express Siete as it approaches the seaport in Talisay City on Friday night.

Alongside the ongoing search and rescue operations, the PCG is also working to contain the oil spill from the sunken ship.

2Go said the ferry had 20,000 liters of diesel fuel and 120,000 liters of bunker or crude fuel in its fuel tank and 20,000 liters of lube oil that were being used by the engines when it was running.

A Board of Marine Inquiry has also been formed to determine which ship is responsible for the collision.

The board is composed of five members from the PCG, one from the Maritime Industry Authority, one from the Philippine Ports Authority, a ship captain from a private sector and a marine engineer.