Death toll in Cagayan sea tragedy now at 31 - report

MANILA, Philippines — The death toll in the M/B Maejan sea tragedy off Cagayan province rose to 31 as of Tuesday evening, a television report said. QTV's News on Q said that as search and rescue operations continue, authorities have confirmed that 31 bodies have been so far recovered. According to the TV report, M/B Maejan tragedy appeared to be another case of overloading. The ferry, loaded with more than 100 people along with a cargo of pigs, cows and water buffaloes, was traveling from Calayan Islands in the Luzon Strait when it encountered huge waves and currents that broke its bamboo outrigger, causing it to flip over. The report said the vessel has a capacity of carrying only 50 passengers - 40 passengers and 10 crew members. However, it was reported that the actual people on board the wooden-hulled vessel was 98. M/B Maejan left the Calayan port Sunday morning but failed to enter the port of Aparri due to big waves and strong current until it was dragged and capsized more or less 50 meters from the shoreline of Pallog village in Ballesteros town. As of posting, rescuers were braving strong waves and cold weather brought by tropical storm "Ulysses" in search of the missing bodies. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV