Cargo ship rams into 3 boats; 17 injured

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Big waves from the Pacific Ocean smashed into a foreign cargo vessel which then slammed into boats at the Tabaco City port Saturday afternoon, causing injuries to at least 17 people, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

PCG officer 2 Maximino Paraiso said M/V Alyna, a cargo ship from Nanchung, China, had just unloaded some 22,000 metric tons of cement-making materials when big waves pushed it toward the shore, ramming into three boats bearing at least 20 passengers.

Paraiso said they have issued a hold departure order for the foreign vessel to answer for the damage to the three boats and injuries to the passengers.

“We saw the ship trying to maneuver but instead smashed into the passenger boats,” Paraiso said.