7 vessels run aground due to Tropical Storm Kristine

At least five additional incidents of vessels running aground have been reported due to severe tropical storm Kristine, bringing the total number of such incidents to seven as of Thursday.

In Pangasinan, a dredger ran aground along coastal waters in Binmaley town when it was battered by storm surge from Lingayen Gulf Wednesday night.

A cargo vessel also ran aground in Minglanilla town, Cebu, due to strong winds caused by Kristine, adding to the two vessels already reported to have run aground in Batangas port earlier this week.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Assistant General Manager Mark Jon Palomar said they are investigating these incidents, noting that the captains of both boats may face charges if negligence is proven.

In Obando, Bulacan, a fishing boat capsized off the coast of Barangay Binuangan, leaving one fisherman missing while nine others were rescued.

On Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard reported two additional vessels that drifted and ran aground in separate incidents in Batangas and Romblon due to strong winds and huge waves caused by Kristine.