Eleven people were rescued after the pumpboat they were riding capsized while traveling to Guimaras on Friday afternoon, authorities said.
According to reports, the boat was carrying two crew members and nine members of a family from Barangay Binubuhan in Bago City, Negros Occidental.
The passengers were reportedly heading to Guimaras to attend the funeral of a relative.
The pumpboat departed around 4 p.m. from Bantayan Park in Bago City.
More than an hour later, at around 5:37 p.m., the Philippine Coast Guard received a distress call regarding a vessel that had sunk in the waters between Negros Occidental and Guimaras.
Authorities immediately launched a rescue operation in response to the incident.
By around 7 p.m., all 11 passengers had been successfully rescued.
Commander Artzell Anacan of Coast Guard Station Northern Negros Occidental told Brigada News FM Bacolod that no fatalities were reported in the incident.
Authorities did not immediately disclose the cause of the capsizing.
Following the rescue, the Philippine Coast Guard reminded the public to exercise caution while traveling by sea, especially amid unpredictable weather and sea conditions.
Maritime authorities also continue to monitor sea travel conditions in the area to ensure the safety of passengers and vessels operating in nearby waters.
Incidents involving small boats and pumpboats are closely monitored by authorities, particularly during changing weather conditions that may affect sea travel safety across Western Visayas routes.
The rescued passengers were reported safe after the operation, according to responding authorities.
