1 dead, 1 missing after tugboat collides with cargo ship off Sarangani

One seafarer died while another remains missing after a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship collided with a tugboat in the waters off Sarangani, the Philippine Coast Guard said Tuesday.

According to a statement from the PCG, it responded to a vessel collision that occurred between Philippine flagged-tugboat, M/TUG Sadong 33 and the bulk carrier MV Universe Kaisa at around 4:20 a.m. on Tuesday.

Following a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation, the Coast Guard was able to rescue six of the eight crew members of the tugboat by 8 a.m.

They also confirmed the death of the tugboat’s captain after recovering his body from the water.

Search operations for the missing crew member are still ongoing.

Meanwhile, oil spill assessments following the collision has so far tested negative. 

The Marine Traffic website said the 16,954-ton Universe Kaisa had departed Vietnam and en route to General Santos City when the accident occurred. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News