Puerto Princesa, Philippines—Four crew members died Saturday when an interisland cargo vessel capsized in violent, storm-churned waters off the western coast of Palawan.
The cargo ship was transiting a turbulent sea corridor carrying general merchandise when towering waves shifted its cargo hold balance. The vessel listed heavily to port before turning completely upside down amid fierce gale-force winds.
The Philippine Coast Guard deployed search and rescue cutters and aviation units following an emergency distress beacon activation. Coast guard divers and local fishermen managed to rescue six surviving crew members clinging to floating debris.
Rescue teams recovered the bodies of four crew members from the rough swells surrounding the half-submerged hull. Medical personnel on shore provided emergency trauma care to the exhausted survivors brought into port by rescue vessels.
PAGASA meteorological stations had posted gale warnings across maritime zones due to a passing tropical depression stirring up regional waters. Coast guard commanders suspended all sea travel permits for small and medium watercraft throughout the Palawan island province.
Maritime safety investigators will review cargo loading manifests and weather dispatch logs once salvage operations conclude. The names of the deceased crew members are being withheld pending complete family notifications across regional provinces.
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