Boat sinks off Dinagat Islands

SURIGAO CITY, Philippines  – A man died while 26 were rescued when a motorboat sank off Dinagat Islands on Saturday.

Most of the passengers of the M/B Jeymartt were set to take the civil service examinations today in this city, a report from the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office said.

PDRRMO chief Jane Mayola said strong winds and waves battered the boat, causing it to capsize off the coast of Barangay Zaragoza at around 2 p.m.

The boat came from the island province and was headed for this city when it figured in the accident, which resulted in the death of Teofilo Saging, 41, of Barangay Llamera, Libjo town.

Reports said the boat was carrying 27 passengers and four crewmembers.

The Philippine Coast Guard and the Maritime Industry Authority said they would investigate the incident, noting the island province as well as Surigao City and Surigao del Norte were not placed under a typhoon signal.