2 women drown after motor banca sinks in Northern Samar

Two women were reported dead after the motor banca they were riding sank in waters near Laoang, Northern Samar on Sunday.

According to a Balitanghali report on Wednesday, the bodies of the two victims, aged 68 and 50, were found floating in the water.

The victims were among eight passengers of the ill-fated water craft, which was reportedly bound for Batag Island.

Investigation conducted by the Laoang Police revealed the Philippine Coast Guard did not permit the voyage due to the inclement weather and large waves, which caused the sinking.

The other six passengers of the motor banca were rescued and in safe condition.

In a statement Thursday, the PCG said its joint search and rescue (SAR) operations with the Laoang Municipal Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office yielded the bodies of the casualties along the shoreline of Barangay Rawis.

The joint SAR team transported the deceased to Laoang Rural Health Unit, while the survivors were brought to the nearest hospital for medical assistance.

Northern Samar and many provinces experienced moderate to heavy rains during the final days of 2024 as a shear line, intertropical convergence zone, and the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan affected the country. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/ RF/ VDV, GMA Integrated News