Passenger vessel with 223 onboard runs aground in Romblon

Over 200 passenger vessel and crew members were evacuated late Sunday night after a vessel ran aground in the vicinity waters of Barangay Capaclan in Romblon, Romblon, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Monday.

In a statement, the PCG said 168 passengers and 55 crew were all in good physical condition after passenger vessel MV SWM Salve Regina, which came from Magdiwang Port, ran aground around 11:45 p.m. 

“Upon arrival at the incident area, CGS Romblon and its operational control units immediately checked the condition of the passengers and crew, who were all in good physical condition,” the PCG said.

The passengers were evacuated and brought to Romblon Public Plaza while the crew stayed at MV SWM Salve Regina to monitor the vessel.

“Meanwhile, personnel of Coast Guard Sub Station Romblon Romblon continuously monitored the status of the aground vessel, and no signs of oil spillage or flooding were observed on the vessel,” the PCG said.

The cause of the incident is still under investigation, the PCG said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News