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Multiple fatalities, as boats capsize in turbulent Iloilo-Guimaras strait

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (2ND UPDATE)—Eleven people were confirmed dead after 3 boats capsized off the coast of Iloilo-Guimaras Strait in separate incidents Saturday.This was confirmed by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas, who said that number could still increase.According to disaster-mitigation authorities, 26 have been rescued, 3 of them in critical condition.Search operations are underway to look for more than 10 others.At about noon, two motorboats — M/B Chi Chi and M/B Keshia 2 — capsized because of gusty winds and strong waves.Another boat, M/B Jenny Vince, capsized a few hours after boats traveling to and from Guimaras and Iloilo City were allowed to set out again. Twenty-six passengers were rescued.One of the survivors recounted that they were travelling from Parola Wharf in Iloilo to Jordan Wharf in Guimaras when huge waves and strong winds hit their boat.The Iloilo City disaster risk reduction and management office said about 38 people have been rushed to different hospitals in Guimaras and Iloilo as M/B Chi Chi and M/B Keshia capsized.Ten of the casualties came from M/B Chi Chi while one came from M/B Jenny Vince. All passengers in M/B Keishia survived.Both incidents sent coast guard officials scrambling to search for victims in choppy seas.Strong winds are being felt in Iloilo and Guimaras amid a southwest monsoon intensifying a low pressure area.All trips between Iloilo City to Guimaras have been suspended.

Eleven people were confirmed dead after 3 boats capsized off the coast of Iloilo-Guimaras Strait in separate incidents Saturday.

Eleven people were confirmed dead after 3 boats capsized off the coast of Iloilo-Guimaras Strait in separate incidents Saturday.