Body count for Cebu ferry collision rises to 75

The figure was quoted by the Philippine Coast Guard at 0900 hrs local time. Some 750 passengers have been rescued, with divers making regular trips to try and recover dead bodies. The new count represents four cadavers recovered since yesterday’s count of 71.

The vessel was carrying almost 880 when it collided with the dry cargo ship Sulpicio Express Siete and sank on August 16. According to Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) chief Maximo Mejia, the collision was caused when the ferry, owned by 2GO Shipping Lines, deviated from its allocated shipping lane.

Meanwhile, the oil slick from the sunken vessel, comprising 120,000l of bunkers, 20,000l of lube oil, and 20000l of diesel, continues to contaminate the Philippine coastline. "We have no livelihood now because no one will buy the fish we haul, with a lot of bodies still in the water and oil in the sea," a local fisherman said.