One dead, one missing following vessel collision in southern Philippines

One person is confirmed dead while another has been reported as missing after a cargo vessel and a tug collided with each other off the coast of Sarangani province in the southern Philippines on Tuesday, March 25.

The incident occurred at around 04:20 local time on Tuesday when the Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier Universe Kaisa struck the locally-registered tug Sadong 33 off Sarangani's Maasim municipality.

The Philippine Coast Guard deployed three vessels and search and rescue (SAR) teams to the area to render assistance.

The coast guard SAR personnel pulled six survivors and one deceased victim out of the surrounding waters by 08:00. The deceased has been identified as Sadong 33's captain while the tug's seven remaining crewmembers include the six survivors and the sole missing individual.

The coast guard conducted an oil spill assessment and concluded that the incident did not result in any pollution.

The search for the missing crewmember is still ongoing.

No details have yet been provided on any damage suffered by the bulk carrier.