1 dead after Chinese vessel capsizes off Rizal, Occidental Mindoro

One person died after a Chinese vessel capsized off Rizal in Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday afternoon.

Based on a police report, the fatality was a Chinese citizen who was declared dead on arrival at a hospital. 

Authorities said the ship, which has yet to be identified, was preparing to set sail with a cargo of sand at 4:30 p.m. when it suddenly turned on its side before capsizing.

The ship had a crew of 23 Filipinos and Chinese seafarers.

Six Filipinos and seven Chinese have so far been rescued.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing for the nine crewmen.

The cause of the sinking is yet to be known. —RF, GMA Integrated News