Three More Bodies Recovered from Capsized MV Hong Hai 16 in Mindoro Waters

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The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported the recovery of three more bodies from the capsized sand carrier MV Hong Hai 16 in the waters off Rizal, Occidental Mindoro. This brings the death toll to nine, with the search efforts ongoing for two missing crew members.

The first cadaver was retrieved from the vessel's accommodation area on the afternoon of Black Saturday, April 19, by PCG's Special Operations Group-Southern Tagalog and divers from the Special Operations Force. The subsequent recoveries on Easter Sunday, April 20, were from Cargo Hold No. 1 and the Cargo Hold Monitoring Control Room.

The identities of the deceased are pending notification of their families, as stated by the PCG. Meanwhile, efforts to locate the remaining missing crew members continue, despite challenging conditions, including poor underwater visibility and structural hazards posed by the sunken vessel.

During recent operations, PCG divers recovered personal items from the vessel’s bridge and second-floor cabin. Alongside the ongoing search, the PCG, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-San Jose, conducted a coastal assessment. The examined stretch revealed no immediate environmental threats such as oil spills, although significant siltation was observed, with no seagrass beds or coral reefs present.

The Coast Guard Chaplain Services observed the Easter Holy Week period by holding a Black Saturday Mass, offering prayers for the victims' families and the safety of the responders involved in the recovery operations.

The Chinese-flagged MV Hong Hai 16 capsized on April 15, approximately 100 meters from Barangay Malawaan's shoreline. Of the 25 crew members onboard, comprising 13 Filipinos and 12 Chinese nationals, 14 were initially rescued. The PCG remains committed to concluding its search and rescue mission and ensuring safety in the area.

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Manila Bulletin

-- 2025-04-21