16 rescued after charter boat sinks off Albay, Philippines

The Philippine Coast Guard safely rescued all 16 passengers and crew of a banca-type charter boat that sank in bad weather off Albay province in the eastern Philippines on Saturday, December 19.

The distressed vessel had sailed out of the Albay municipality of Rapu-Rapu and ended up submerged just off the municipality of Bacacay due to strong winds and rough waves caused by Tropical Cyclone Krovanh.

Personnel from Coast Guard Station Albay immediately deployed to the area to render assistance and subsequently pulled all 16 survivors out of the water despite the worsening weather. Some of the passengers and crew suffered minor injuries and have since been brought to hospital.

The coast guard has already begun an investigation into the sinking.