4 dead after cargo ship runs aground

MANILA, Philippines — The bodies of four crewmembers of a cargo ship that ran aground in the waters off Surigao del Norte have been found washed ashore.

Seven others have been rescued after drifting at sea while nine remained missing.

Authorities said Noli Labucay was rescued on Tuesday night. Roger Polo, Arjie Bacarra, Joejie Villanueva, Felipe Quebuen, John Renzo Guanzon and another who has yet to be identified were rescued yesterday morning.

The victims are being treated at the Malimono Regional Health Unit in Surigao del Norte and Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Armand Balilo said search and rescue operations in the area of Surigao would continue.

“We will continue the operation until we account for all the crewmembers of the LCT Cebu Great Ocean,” Balilo told a press briefing.

He said the PCG station in Surigao del Norte received a call from two crewmembers of the vessel that they abandoned ship when it ran aground before 4 p.m. on Monday.

He said rescue teams from various agencies conducted intermittent search and rescue operations due to rough sea conditions brought by Typhoon Bising.

The vessel was carrying nickel ore and 2,000 liters of diesel when it ran aground off the coast of Barangay Cantapoy in Malimono town.