Google map of Talusan town in Zamboanga Sibugay province in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 11, 2014) – Dozens of ferry passengers were rescued early Saturday after their vessel was battered with huge waves that sipped through the engine room off Zamboanga Sibugay province in southern Philippines, the Coast Guard said.
It said the ferry, which came from Zamboanga City, was on its way to Talusan town and carrying at least 57 people, including 8 children and a baby.
A fishing boat spotted the vessel and rescued the passengers who were later brought back to Zamboanga City.
“The distressed vessel was spotted by a F/B Century, a fishing boat, between (the towns) of Olutanga and Talusan and the first to came to its rescue,” PO1 Severino Rosal, of the Coast Guard Station in Zamboanga’s Sangali village, told the radio network dxRZ Radyo Agong.
He said there was no report of injuries. “The passengers are all okay and arrived safely in Zamboanga City and assisted by Magnolia Shipping (Corporation),” Rosal said.
There was no immediate statement from the shipping company about the incident. (Mindanao Examiner)
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