Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — One person is dead, and 18 are missing after a ship sank off the coast of Batangas at the height of Typhoon Nina on Monday, ship company authorities said.
The victims were crew members of MV Starlite Atlantic, Starlite Ferries Executive Vice President for Operations Glenn Tabanao told CNN Philippines.
The ship, with a crew of 35, sank off Tingloy town and was seeking shelter in Batangas Bay when it was hit by strong winds, Tabanao said.
“They were battered by big waves and very strong intensity (of) winds. They were dragged. As reported by the crew, they were fighting the typhoon using their power; their engine,” he added.
Typhoon Nina, which packed winds of up to 185 kph in the center and gusts of 215 kph during its track through the Philippines, made its sixth landfall in Tingloy.
The death of the crew member from the ferry sinking brings to seven the number of dead due to Typhoon Nina.
Sixteen of the MV Starlite Atlantic crew were rescued. With better weather Tuesday, it’s “double effort today” in the search for the 18 missing, Tabanao added.
Typhoon Nina also caused MBCA San Miguel 12 to sink off the coast of Lobo, Batangas. All eight crew members were rescued on Monday.
The typhoon also grounded vessel MV Shuttle Roro 5 off the coast of Mabini, Batangas and Tanker Obama off the coast of Gasan, Southern Quezon.
The Philippine Ports Authority barge was half-submerged at the vicinity of Virac Port in Catanduanes.
Seven wooden hull vessels ran aground off the coast of Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro. These are Oceanjet 12, Oceanjet 10, MV Baleno 5, MV Baleno 7, MV Baleno 8, Starlight Polaris, and Blue Sea.
Strong wind and rain from typhoon Nina temporarily also halted holiday travel across the country over the weekend, with close to 70,000 passengers affected, authorities said Monday.
Also read: Tens of thousands affected as Typhoon Nina halts air and sea travel
