6 dead, 5 missing in MV Hong Hai 16 capsizing

Six crew members of the Philippine-flagged sand carrier MV Hong Hai 16, which capsized off Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, are confirmed dead, with five individuals still missing.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recovered two more bodies on Friday, identified as likely Filipino nationals, bringing the confirmed death toll to six.

Special Operations Group (SOG) divers found the bodies in the accommodation area and cargo hold area, with decomposition making identification difficult.

The PCG has requested survivors to assist in identifying the bodies, although confirmation from families is still needed.

The vessel, carrying 7,400 cubic meters of sand, had 25 crew members; initial reports suggest 7 Filipinos and 3 Chinese.

MV Hong Hai 16 is owned by Keen Peak Corporation and was contracted by Bluemax Corporation for sand transport.

Representatives of the owner visited the site and expressed readiness to assist in salvage efforts and shoulder the needs of the crew.

The PCG has instructed the ship's owner and operator to begin the vessel extraction process after assessing potential risks and deploying oil spill booms.

A water sampling is being conducted to assess the continued safety within the vicinity of the overturned ship, which poses no significant environmental threat.