Exclusive - UPDATE: 1 Missing, 28 Rescued From Sunken Cargo Vessel In Bohol!

The cargo vessel M/V Meridian 3 sank while on its way to deliver goods to Tacloban City in Leyte from Cebu City at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. It was struck by strong winds and currents, causing it to sink somewhere in the waters off Dawahon Island, located between Bato, Leyte and Bohol.

Twenty-eight crewmembers and three passengers were rescued from the boat’s wreckage, however, one crewmember was reported still missing as of today. One of the three passengers was identified as Boholano Noel Santocidad, a 45-year-old resident of Catarman, Dauis.

With the help of passenger vessel M/V Filipinas Butuan and M/V Ocean Kingdom, some of the rescued crewmembers were found at around 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. yesterday. Reports say that a few of them were seen in Hinlongos, Leyte.

Authorities continue to look for missing crewmember Benjamin Orola, the vessel’s crane operator.