Thirty-eight people have so far been confirmed dead from the disaster, in which the ship tipped over minutes after leaving port, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
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AP The Philippine Coast Guard rescues boat passengers after a ferry boat capsized in choppy waters, on Thursday, July 2, 2015, in Ornoc, Philippines.
Manila: The death toll from Thursday’s ferry tragedy off the Philippines has reached 59, authorities said, adding that more bodies had been found after rescuers brought the ill-fated boat back to port early on Saturday. He says 142 survived and there are no more reports of anyone missing.
The Kim Nirvana was heading from the central city of Ormoc to the island of Camotes when it capsized.
Rio Tan of Ormoc City police said the charges were filed with the local prosecutor as the 36-ton MB Kim Nirvana was lifted from the water.
The ferry was bound for Pilar, Camotes Island, in Cebu and was reportedly carrying sacks of cement and rice aside from passengers.
The boat captain, who is in police custody, also said strong waves caused the vessel to tip over.
Balilo said the owner of the vessel, its captain and its 17 crew members were now facing multiple-murder raps. He said that he could not have made any sudden turn because there was another vessel close to the ferry.
In a panic, passengers rushed and crowded towards the right side of the ferry, causing it to tilt slowly before capsizing, Balilo said. “They were reckless on objective”.
The coast guard is investigating the latest in a string of deadly sea mishaps.
In an interview with reporters in Ormoc City, Binay said he would still give financial aid to the victims despite supposed lack of access to government resources.
At least three Americans and a Canadian were part of the 173 passengers who were on-board the vessel, according to Associated Press.
PCG Spokesman Commander Arman Balilo said on Friday that the agency will conduct a comprehensive investigation. When we flipped, I said: “‘OK, this is it. OK, this is it.'”.
Poorly maintained, loosely regulated ferries are the backbone of maritime travel in the sprawling archipelago of 100 million people.
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In 1987, the M-V Doña Paz ferry and an oil tanker collided in bad weather, also in the central Philippines, killing more than 4,300 people.
