Container Shipping

One missing after boat capsizes off Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines

Baird Maritime

One person has gone missing after a banca-type charter boat carrying 10 passengers and crew capsized off Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu province in the Central Philippines on Tuesday, November 9.

The incident occurred at 02:00 local time on Tuesday when the unnamed boat keeled over in the Hilutungan Channel off Lapu-Lapu City.

The commercial containership Seaborne Cargo 5 was transiting the same waters when the capsizing took place. The containership's crew immediately diverted to the site of the incident to render assistance and rescued eight of the 10 people who were on board the banca.

A Philippine Coast Guard search and rescue (SAR) team found one of the two occupants who were initially reported as missing. This individual, identified as a 43-year-old male, is now in the custody of local emergency services personnel and has since been given medical attention.

The coast guard reported at 14:00 on Tuesday that its SAR teams were still scouring the channel for any sign of the last missing passenger.