28 hurt as fast craft collides with cargo vessel off Cebu

Twenty-eight passengers were hurt after a fast craft collided with a cargo vessel off Barangay Looc in Mandaue City, Cebu on Sunday afternoon, authorities said.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said MV St. Jhudiel was heading to Cebu City from Ormoc City with 197 passengers when it experienced a steering casualty and engine trouble, and collided with cargo vessel LCT Poseidon 23 at 2:52 p.m.

The cargo vessel was carrying 17 rolling cargoes and 20 passengers, including drivers and cargo helpers, when the collision happened, the PCG said.

The Philippine Navy said the 28 hurt passengers were transferred to Captain Veloso Pier in Lapu-Lapu City where they received first aid treatment from the personnel of BRP BATAK.

Six of the passengers were later transferred to Mactan Doctors Hospital, while the other 22 were escorted to Pier 1 in Cebu City.

According to the PCG, the Coast Guard Marine Environmental Protection Force - Central Visayas was dispatched to conduct an oil spill assessment.

The Coast Guard Station Central Cebu advised the vessels to file marine protests, the PCG said.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard District Central Visayas instructed the Maritime Safety Services Unit to conduct a marine casualty investigation into the incident, it added. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News