Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 28) — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said search and rescue operations continue for its four rescuers who went missing on Thursday after their boat capsized in the vicinity waters of Aparri, Cagayan during the wrath of Typhoon Egay.
“Ongoing pa rin po ‘yung search and rescue operations ng Philippine Coast Guard pati ng mga local government unit rescue teams. Wala pa pong sightings doon sa apat pang nawawalang tauhan ng Philippine Coast Guard,” PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said in a public briefing.
[Translation: Search and rescue operations by the Philippine Coast Guard and local government unit rescue teams are still ongoing. There are still no sightings of the four missing personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard.]
The PCG said on Thursday that the four were supposed to rescue seven crew members of M/Tug (tugboat) Iroquois.
Balilo said two teams were sent to help the crew members, including one who suffered a heart attack.
According to the PCG spokesperson, one of the rescue teams was able to approach the tugboat, but was hit by a strong wave that caused it to capsize. The other group backed out following the incident.
The rescuers were last seen holding on to the boat they used, Balilo said.
