2 Australians missing in Southern Leyte

MANILA, Philippines — Two Australians have gone missing after their pump boat sank in the waters of Hinundayan and Hinunangan in Southern Leyte and Loreto in Dinagat Island yesterday.

Police identified the foreigners as Grahame David Hastings and Donald Cox, both 60 years old.

Initial report from the Eastern Visayas police said the victims, together with an undetermined number of Filipinos, went missing when their boat, with a capacity of 10 persons, sank after its engine failed.

According to the police, the victims came from Barangay Tahusan in Hinunangan and went fishing on Gibusong Island in Loreto when their boat encountered trouble.

The local police alerted the Philippine Coast Guard for the conduct of search and rescue operations.

The police regional office has yet to receive information if the foreigners and the other persons on board the vessel have been rescued.