Cargo Ship Capsizes in Philippines, 13 Rescued, 1 Dead, 1 Missing

A search and rescue operation was initiated by the Philippine Coast Guard following reports of a domestic cargo ship capsizing in rough seas in the central Philippines. Initially, five crew members were reported missing, but updates revealed that 13 out of the 15 crew members were rescued, one crew member was still missing, and one body was recovered. The vessel, named Jerlyn Khatness, had been in operation in the Philippines since 2016 and was carrying cement from Cebu to Northern Samar when it sank off Samar Island due to large waves.

Passing vessels were the first to respond to the distress calls and managed to rescue 12 crew members. One crew member spent 25 hours in the water and eventually swam ashore on San Juan Island. Unfortunately, the search also recovered the body of a 30-year-old male, while a 64-year-old male crew member is still missing. The Civil Defense Philippines led an airborne search for the missing individual, and the Coast Guard advised vessels in the area to continue looking for him while exercising caution due to the hazardous weather conditions.

The Coast Guard successfully located the sunken vessel and emphasized the need for improved safety measures in the region, given the unpredictable and perilous weather conditions. They urged vessels to remain vigilant and ensure the safety of their crew members while navigating through challenging waters. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by seafarers and the importance of adhering to safety protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future.

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