{"id":2044723,"date":"2025-03-18T07:20:36","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T23:20:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\/?p=2044723"},"modified":"2025-03-18T10:00:12","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T02:00:12","slug":"navy-rescues-26-passengers-after-boat-sinks-off-tawi-tawi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\/2044723\/navy-rescues-26-passengers-after-boat-sinks-off-tawi-tawi","title":{"rendered":"Navy rescues 26 passengers after boat sinks off Tawi-Tawi"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Navy<\/a>

(Photo courtesy of Naval Forces Western Mindanao)<\/p><\/div>\n

ZAMBOANGA CITY \u2014 The Philippine Navy rescued 26 passengers after a wooden-hulled vessel sank off Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi, on Sunday, an official said Monday.<\/p>\n

Rear Adm. Francisco Tagamolila Jr., commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), said the 32 passengers of the M\/L Bangsata were rescued around 10:05 p.m. Sunday, approximately 17 nautical miles southeast of Turtle Islands.<\/p>\n

Six other passengers were rescued by a Malaysian vessel.<\/p>\n

\u201cCoordination is ongoing to facilitate their safe return,\u201d Tagamolila said in a statement.<\/p>\n

According to survivors, the M\/L Bangsata departed Turtle Islands at 1:45 a.m. Sunday bound for South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi.<\/p>\n

The boat encountered rough seas and sank around 6 a.m.<\/p>\n

Passengers clung to debris until their rescue.<\/p>\n

A Singaporean-flagged tanker, EONIA, first spotted the distressed vessel and alerted authorities, enabling the Philippine Navy\u2019s Naval Monitoring Station (NMS) Taganak and BRP-Jose Loor Sr. (PC-390) to launch an immediate rescue mission.<\/p>\n

\u201cNMS Taganak maintained continuous communication with EONIA, ensuring swift coordination and accurate location of the incident,\u201d Tagamolila said.<\/p>\n

The survivors received medical assistance, food, and warm clothing aboard PC-390 before being transported to Taganak Pier.<\/p>\n

They were turned over to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for further care.<\/p>\n