A Second Deadly Accident in Philippines

The MV Baleno 9 sank near Calapan City, the second sea tragedy in less than three days in the Philippines . At least six people were confirmed dead while 36 others were missing. Sixty-nine passengers had been rescued as of late yesterday afternoon. Baleno 9 was carrying at least 88 people. The 199-ton vessel, which had a maximum passenger capacity of 284, carried nine motor vehicles at the time of the sinking, including a 10-wheel truck, a six-wheel truck, four cargo jeeps and a car. Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza ordered the suspension of the operations of Besta Shipping Lines, which has five roll on, roll off vessels serving Oriental Mindoro and Batangas routes.

Ed. Note: Ferry safety in developing countries is still a depressing story. 2009 has seen over 1,100 fatalities. Although this was below the recent average of about 1,300 deaths per year, the accidents are still happening in familiar territory. Indonesia reported five fatal accidents, Bangladesh four, Philippines four, while Nepal, Vietnam, Haiti, Tonga, Sierre Leone, China and Myanmar reported one each.

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