Over 100 rescued after RoRo ferry runs aground in Occidental Mindoro

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More than 100 people were rescued from a Roll On-Roll Off ferry ran aground in the shallow waters of Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro.

In a 24 Oras report from Oscar Oida on Thursday, while no one was hurt, one woman did faint out of fear. A rescuer could be seen rushing her to the hospital.

According to the municipality’s disaster and risk reduction office, the vessel, named the MV RoRo Master 5, ran aground at around 12:45 a.m.

The incident occurred just 30 meters away from the shoreline of Barangay Udalo in Abra de Ilog. The ship came from the Port of Batangas.

"So upon receipt of the information ay agad naman pong nagresponde ang 13 coast guards at nakipag-ugnayan po tayo sa vessel's crew, the shipping company at mga local authorities,” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said.

(So upon receipt of the information, 13 coast guards responded and we coordinated with the vessel’s crew, the shipping company and the local authorities.)

One of the passengers was even able to take a video of the rescue attempt. After an official explained their situation, the passengers were made to wear life vests during the evacuation.

“Bigla po parang sadsad ng barko, sadsad talaga yung pwet ng barko,” passenger Kith Mallorca said. (The ship skidded, the bottom of the ship skidded the seabed.)

Mallorca said that she was afraid because she really felt the impact. She was grateful that it happened in shallow waters so the passengers could safely disembark.

Rescuers used four life rafts and a lifeline to evacuate the passengers and the crew of the stricken vessel. All of the passengers were able to reach the ground safely, where they were given food and medical care.

The Coast Guard said the ship had an issue with its gyrocompass, which led to it running aground. The ship’s captain was instructed by the PCG to submit the marine protest so he could explain the incident.

There was no oil spill detected and no water entered the ship. the PCG said. —Jean Mangaluz/RF, GMA News