One person is reported missing after a motor tanker capsized and caused an oil spill in Bataan early Thursday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The PCG said search, rescue, and oil spill response operations are ongoing.
In a statement, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said the incident involving MT Terra Nova happened 3.6 nautical miles east off Lamao Point in Limay town around 1:10 a.m.
PCG Rear Admiral Balilo said 16 of the 17 crew on board have been rescued. Four of the 16 rescued individuals are already receiving further medical attention.
MT Terra Nova, which was heading to Iloilo, was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel.
“The deployed aerial asset monitors an oil spill 5.6 nautical miles east off Lamao Point with an estimated coverage (length) of two nautical miles carried by strong current heading east to northeast. Marine environmental protection personnel have also been mobilized to combat the oil spill,” PCG said.
The PCG said that “there was no weather disturbance in the vicinity waters when the maritime incident occurred.”
PCG’s BRP Melchora Aquino launched search and rescue operations for the one missing crew.
Citing the initial investigation, Balilo said there was no weather disturbance in the area when the incident happened.
“PCG Commandant, CG Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan, has ordered the conduct of an investigation regarding the maritime incident,” the PCG said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
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