On Friday, the Philippine coast guard made an announcement about launching an investigation into a tragic incident where a passenger boat capsized in a lake near the capital, resulting in the devastating loss of at least 26 lives. The primary focus of the investigation will be to ascertain why the boat was allowed to set sail while being overloaded with passengers.
According to the coast guard’s report, on Thursday, 40 individuals were rescued after the boat sank due to strong winds. Subsequently, it was discovered that the vessel was carrying a significantly higher number of passengers than its designated capacity, which led to the tragic outcome. Consequently, the coast guard is planning to file complaints against the boat’s captain and operator, and they are also looking into the actions of their personnel.
The exact number of passengers on board remains uncertain as the manifest only listed 22 names, adding to the confusion surrounding the incident. Search and rescue efforts are actively underway, as stated by the coast guard.
Regrettably, this incident marks the second-most deadly maritime tragedy in the Philippines this year, with the previous ferry fire incident in the southern part of the country claiming the lives of 33 individuals back in March.
It’s important to note that the Philippines recently experienced the devastating impact of Typhoon Doksuri, which brought extremely strong winds reaching up to 175 km/h (108 mph) to Luzon, the most populous island where the capital, Manila, is located. The typhoon’s effects may have contributed to the perilous conditions faced by the ill-fated boat.
