11 rescued from capsized boat off Negros Occidental, Philippines

Eleven people were safely rescued after their small outrigger boat capsized just off the coast of Negros Occidental province in the central Philippines on Sunday, March 20.

The unidentified banca-type passenger boat was 200 metres from shore when strong winds and rough waves caused it to keel over at around 14:15 local time on Sunday.

Rescue boat crews from the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, the Philippine Coast Guard, and other partner agencies immediately headed to the area after an eyewitness reported the incident via telephone.

All eleven passengers and crew were pulled out of the water by 14:40. No serious injuries have been reported.

The survivors were later turned over to medical personnel in nearby San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.