Philippines: 87 injured as passenger ship hits cliff

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

A passenger ship hit a cliff in the central Philippines’ Romblon province early on Tuesday morning injuring at least 87 of its 251 passengers.

The M/V Matilde of Montenegro Shipping Lines was on its regular route from the port of Odiongan to Romblon when it accidentally rammed a rock formation along the shoreline of Tablas Island, according to Inquirer News.

Injured passengers were immediately transported to the nearest hospitals on the island with the help of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Red Cross Romblon, the Rural Health and police.

Police spokeswoman Chief Inspector Imelda Tolentino was quoted by the daily as saying the captain claimed there had been zero visibility due to heavy rainfall. However, crew members revealed there was a “steering problem” which made the captain lose control.

An investigation by the Philippine Coast Guard is underway.