CEBU (6th Update, 5:50 p.m.) -- Bad weather condition on Saturday afternoon forced the suspension of underwater retrieval operation, but surface search operation continues for survivors of the collision between the passenger ship M/V Saint Thomas Aquinas and a cargo vessel in Cebu waters Friday night.
The Philippine Red Cross said that as of 5:50 p.m. Saturday, the death toll rose to 40, while 163 remained missing. Of the 832 passengers of M/V Saint Thomas Aquinas, which sank after the collision, 629 are survivors as of this posting Saturday.
Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said surface search continues, but underwater retrieval suspended for now, as Coast Guard's search and retrieval operation were hampered by big waves and rain.
Outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. condoled Saturday with the kin of fatalities. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you as you grieve the loss of life that resulted from this tragedy," Thomas said.
Davide earlier said Saturday he's hoping more survivors will be rescued. He added that he will head a meeting with the disaster council Saturday to address the needs of the survivors.
Divers from the Armed Force of the Philippines and the Coast Guard, and the disaster volunteers of the local government units in Cebu are helping in the ongoing search and rescue operation.
Rear Admiral Luis Tuason Jr., Philippine Coast Guard vice commandant for operations, said the Coast Guard has deployed teams to contain the oil spill at the site of the collision on Friday evening.
Central Command operations center chief Elmer Base said two Air Force helicopters joined assets of the Navy, Coast Guard and other civilian volunteers in the conduct of the search. He said the helicopters will check for survivors and casualties in the shoreline.
He added that Central Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda also requested for additional technical divers from the Navy. He said the divers left Palawan Friday aboard a C-130 plane.
"We expect them to arrive (Cebu) before lunchtime to assist the current 12 (currently) conducting dive, search and rescue in the area," he said.
Some of the injured victims were admitted to various hospitals, 31 in Talisay District, 24 in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, and 20 in Cebu City Medical Center.
Management of 2Go shipping Lines also provided relief assistance to survivors; some 300 survivors are staying at Terminal, Pier 4, Cebu City, and others are at Sugbutel and Stella Marie Hotel. Other survivors in Talisay City opted to stay at sitio Salvador Chapel, Baranagay Tangke.
Dead victims were brought to Pier 4 in Cebu City for proper identification and subsequently transported to Cosmopolitan Funeral Parlor.
SUN STAR
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