At least one person was killed in Romblon province after a roll-on-roll-off (RORO) vessel ran aground after encountering big waves on Sunday night.

 

The RORO ran aground at two nautical miles southwest of Tablas Island, according to a report by radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo early on Monday.

 

Coast Guard teams identified the fatality through his ID as Ernesto Flores, who was wearing a life vest when his body was recovered, the report said.

 

At least 57 passengers were rescued from the RORO vessel, which caught fire after running aground.

 

Sketchy initial reports indicated the vessel was heading for Batangas when it encountered big waves and ran aground.

 

Earlier, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council head Benito Ramos the RORO came from Aklan.

 

"Kinuha muna ang babae at bata," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

Tropical storm "Gener" and the southwest monsoon that it enhanced brought heavy rain and big waves to parts of the country, including Southern Luzon. - VVP, GMA News