At least 29 individuals were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from a motorbanca that sunk in Socorro, Surigao del Norte over the weekend.
In an incident report, the motorbanca MBCA Emerald, which carried 26 passengers and three crew members departed from Lanuza, Surigao del Sur for a swimming venture and team building activity at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 24.
The motorbanca encountered strong and huge waves while traveling off Sohoton, Socorro, which caused it to overturn and capsize.
Upon receiving the information from Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group member Jeff Felix, the PCG Station Surigao del Norte deployed a search and rescue team to locate the motorbanca.
The search and rescue team arrived and sighted the passengers while they drifted off Barangay. Doña Helene, Socorro at 2:18 p.m. on Saturday.
The PCG personnel rendered immediate assistance and transferred the rescued passengers to another motorbanca MBCA Zac Greggor en route to Hayanggabon port for further medical assistance.
Meanwhile, the crew members, along with the capsized boat, were transported to Coast Guard Substation Socorro for initial inquiries.
No passengers and crew members were injured during the incident.