DAVAO CITY - Nine Filipino fishermen were missing and another died after their boat was battered by huge waves before dawn Thursday off the southern Philippine province of Davao Oriental, the Philippine Coast Guard reported.
The Coast Guard said they were still searching for the fishermen off the town of Baganga where the trawler was spotted half submerged in the cold water. It said fishing boats in the area managed to rescue 14 crew members of the ill-fated Genesis 2.
"According to its boat captain, Mr. Allan Donaire, they encountered a sudden change in sea condition at around 12 midnight, causing their fishing boat to half-submerge an hour later," the Coast Guard said, adding the boat had 24 crewmen. "Based on the crew manifest, Genesis 2 had 24 crew onboard when the maritime accident occurred. Fishing boats in the vicinity immediately conducted search and rescue (SAR) operations and ensured the safety of 14 crew."
The identities of the dead fisherman and the missing crew members were not made public by the Coast Guard. No other details were released by the Coast Guard. (Mindanao Examiner)
