The death toll from the collision between two ships in Talisay, Cebu last Friday has risen to 71. Around 49 remain missing, including about 23 children.
Technical divers as well as surface search and retrieval teams resumed work early morning Wednesday to find the still missing passengers of MV St. Thomas Aquinas.
Cebu Disaster Management Chief Niel Sanchez, however, could not guarantee that all the missing passengers could still be retrieved.
While the teams will attempt to dive deep into the cabins of the sunken ship, there may be rooms that would be difficult to penetrate.
"Andun ba yun or baka they drifted away to other islands? But we will do our best to return, reunite the bodies with their families para naman may closure,” Sanchez said.
The 23 children missing are all aged 12 years old and below. Almost half are babies, or three years old and below.
He said they don’t have the exact figures as to how many children were really on board since they are often not listed on the ship's manifest because they are free of charge.
Pictures of their happy faces, however, were posted on the wall of the command center, such as that of one-year-old Mark Julius, eight-month-old Christine Joy and nine-month-old Heart Rhianzel.
Bodies in Bohol
Sanchez received information two more dead bodies had already drifted to Bohol.
"May dalawang bangkay na nilibing na daw because of the stench in an islet in Bohol, but we’re still confirming it," he said.
There were also body parts that were found in Lapu-Lapu City. "May torso, leg, an arm, but we list them as body parts.”
At the Funeral Parlor, more families continued to look for their missing loved ones.
Janet Oledan posted a picture of her husband, Nestor Oledan, who is the hotel supervisor of the 2GO ship. She said it was heroism that led to the probable death of Nestor.
He was already at the railings of the ship getting ready to jump according to co-workers, but at the last second went back inside to try to save more passengers.
Nestor is now among the missing. "May mga anak sya na dapat balikan, dapat tumalon sya," Janet lamented.
She said she cannot help but think of their three daughters who now face the possibility of growing up without a father.
The search, rescue and retrieval operations are taking longer than usual because of the sea conditions, Sanchez said. The operations were halted on Tuesday afternoon due to strong underwater current and big waves induced by monsoon rains and winds.
Sanchez said the divers are also being cautious of their safety before plunging at least 120 feet below the surface.
"We also have to consider the safety of the divers with considerations sa water current and also sa oil spill," he said. “That is one aspect that also imposes health concerns.”
Several life vests at the command center were seen drenched in oil after rescuers plunged into the waters to retrieve the bodies.
Wednesday 21 August 2013
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/08/21/13/23-children-among-missing-cebu-sea-tragedy
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