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BOAT-SANK-MALAYSIAN-BORDER
7 dead, 8 missing after boat sank near Malaysian border
MANILA, Aug. 8, 2018 (BSS/Xinhua) – Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on
Wednesday it is continuously combing the waters near the Malaysian border
after reports confirmed that a motorized temper type boat carrying 16
passengers sank on July 30.
It was reported that seven people drowned and eight others are still
missing in the accident. Only one survived the accident.
“PCG, together with the military, local police and local government unit
personnel, have dispatched search teams to look for the remaining missing
passengers who are all residents of Tawi-Tawi,” said PCG spokesman Captain
Armand Balilo.
According to the lone survivor, the boat was on its way to Sempornah,
Sabah, Malaysia from Sitangkai Tawi-tawi in the southern Philippines when it
was battered by big waves and eventually sank.
Reports disclosed that seven lifeless bodies were recovered by local
fishermen at Sitangkai Reefs. The dead bodies were immediately buried in
Sitangkai as part of Muslim tradition.
The Philippine Coast Guard Action Center said it has issued notice to
mariners for all vessels transiting in the area to be on the lookout for
possible survivors.
PCG has likewise coordinated with the Malaysian authorities for possible
joint operations.
BSS/Xinhua/MSY/1102 hrs