CEBU, Philippines — An undetermined number of passengers aboard a fast craft were injured after they figured in a collision with a cargo vessel along Mactan Channel Sunday afternoon, May 21.
Lawyer Erwin Nuñez, one of the passengers, said the collision occurred around 2:47 p.m. at the vicinity of Mandaue-Mactan Bridge.
Nuñez told The Freeman that they left Ormoc port past 12 noon and was supposed to arrive at 2 p.m. but steering problem delayed Supercat’s arrival.
While crew members continue to maneuver towards Pier 1 despite their steering problem a collision occurred.
“Naay membro sa barko ako gipangutana unsay nahitabo, niingon siya nabangga. Pagkahuman niingon siya nga ni malfunction kuno ilang steering wheel,” Nuñez told The Freeman.
Although he failed to get the name but the crew allegedly said he was the “chief mate”.
According to Nuñez, some of the seats were dislodged due to the impact causing injuries to several passengers. He himself suffered from bruised knee and elbow.
As of press time, no official report from the Cebu Station of the Philippine Coast Guard. Initial report from the PCG Ormoc Station states that the fast craft operated by SuperCat Ferry Corporation left the port of Ormoc past 12 noon with 185 passengers onboard. It was expected to arrive at Pier 1 in Cebu City at 2 p.m. yesterday.
Nuñez expressed disappointment over the slow response of the coast guard rescue team. Despite the proximity of the place of the incident, it took several hours for the coast guard personnel to rescue all the passengers, especially those who were injured that required immediate medical attention. /FPL (FREEMAN)