Murder complaints filed over capsized Philippine ferry

The motorised, wooden-hulled boat rolled on its side and overturned minutes after leaving the port of Ormoc City on Thursday.

The complaints were filed with the local prosecutor late Friday as the M/B Kim Nirvana was lifted from the water, said Ormoc City police Senior Inspector Rio Tan.

Mr. Tinampay said a marine investigation had begun and would determine how many people were on the vessel when it capsized.

Dolina told the AFP news agency that the captain and crew had not shown due care, which demonstrated “an intent to kill”.

“I’m very sad because I don’t know if they are still alive”, he said before his youngest brother’s remains were brought to shore.

Tan stated murder complaints were filed against ferry owner Joge Bung Zarco, boat captain Warren Oliverio and 17 other crew members. Scores of people die each year from ferry accidents in the Philippines which has notoriously poor maritime safety.

Search and rescue operations continued through the night, with coast guard personnel reinforced by a Philippine navy ship and two air force planes.

“We filed the charges as soon as we could because we don’t want the suspects to leave the country”, Dolina said, according to AFP, adding that the coast guard may file criminal and administrative charges. An eight-month old baby was one of 35 people who were declared dead on arrival at four hospitals in Ormoc, hours after Nirvana sank on Thursday, said Dr Roland Tomaro, medical director of Ormoc Doctors’ Hospital.

Survivors said the boat took on water after an abrupt right turn from the port. The ferry was carrying a cargo of 150 bags of cement and sacks of rice at the time.

Ebcas said survivors saw that the cargo, located on the ship’s lowest level, was not fastened to the floor with ropes as it should have been. His toll was higher than the 45 reported by the coast guard, which was based on the ship’s passenger list, though the guard counted the same number of survivors.

The owner, captain and crew of the boat that capsized in Central Philippines have been charged with murder, and overloading has also been cited as a reason for why the boat capsized.

Rescue teams recovered more bodies on Friday.

The south-east Asian nation has seen a string of maritime disasters occurring mostly during the typhoon season.