Boat capsizes in the Philippines, 23 dead, 6 missing

The boat capsized in the early afternoon of July 27 (local time) at Laguna Lake, about 37 km southeast of the Philippine capital Manila.

Image believed to be the scene of the boat capsize

PHILIPPINES COAST GUARD

AFP quoted rescue official Kenneth Cirados as saying that the small boat carrying passengers was traveling from Binangonan town to Talim island in the middle of the lake when the accident happened. The boat was only about 45 meters from the shore.

Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, a spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard, said the passengers on the boat panicked because of a strong wind and ran to the left side of the boat, causing the boat to lose balance and capsize.

Rescuers have recovered 23 bodies and saved 40 others. Rescuers are still searching for six people missing after the boat capsized.

Floodwaters in Bontoc town, Mountain province, northern Philippines on July 26.

Rear Admiral Balilo said the accident happened just hours after Typhoon Doksuri, locally known as Egay, swept through the northern Philippines.

The Philippines has more than 7,000 islands and is hit by about 20 typhoons each year. Boat accidents are common each year. Some boat routes resumed operations on July 27 after Typhoon Doksuri passed.

The storm caused rivers in the Philippines to overflow and thousands of people to be without power. At least six people were killed by the storm, according to AFP.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/lat-thuyen-tai-philippines-23-nguoi-thiet-mang-6-nguoi-mat-tich-185230727185052587.htm