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Number of MV Princess of the Stars survivors climbs to 76


MANILA, Philippines - The number of survivors in the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars that capsized off the coast of Sibuyan Island in Romblon last Saturday has climbed to 76, a report from GMA’s Saksi said. Citing data from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Dano Tingcungco reported that 40 of the survivors were currently in the custody of the local government of Claveria town in Masbate, where they were rescued. The PCG is yet to identify the 40 survivors. The television report said 28 others were rescued in Quezon province, four on Sibuyan Island, and four on Burias Island, also in Masbate province. Only four bodies have been found so far in the search and rescue operations. Meanwhile, PCG’s medical team was put on standby in their headquarters in Manila South Harbor to treat the survivors once they are brought in Manila. The survivors will be given check-ups, first aid treatments, and even psychological counseling, the report said. “Our facilities are ready, including ambulances. The (Philippine General Hospital) will also send a team of doctors here," said Lt. Ali Esguerra, duty medical officer of PCG. Earlier, at least 25 survivors and 15 bodies believed to be from the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars were found on Burias Island, Coast Guard Captain Gilbert Rueros said that as of 5:30 p.m. they were still working on the identities of the fatalities and the survivors. “We do not have the details yet. We’re still working on the positive identification of the survivors as well as the fatalities and the details of how they got there," he said. He said the ongoing search and rescue operations were extended north of Sibuyan Island following the discovery of the bodies on Burias Island, which is located north of the site of the tragedy. “Our search area is being extended up to that area (Burias Island). In fact we divided that area from the north of Sibuyan Island up to the vicinity of Marinduque and Quezon into four sectors that will be searched by different coast guard units," he said. National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) spokesman Anthony Golez said some of the survivors have lacerations. He said a town health officer is attending to the survivors. “I think some of them were wearing life vests, some of them were on a watercraft craft, I don’t know what kind," Golez said. Earlier, Sulpicio Lines posted the passenger manifest and a list of survivors which the firm is updating. In its list, Sulpicio placed the number of survivors at 32. - GMANews.TV
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