Bodies of 99 fatalities in ‘Princess’ mishap arrive in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - At least 99 bodies retrieved from the capsized MV Princess of the Stars arrived in Cebu province Tuesday morning to undergo processing by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other forensic experts. In its advisory as of 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sulpicio Lines - owner of the ill-fated passenger vessel, said the bodies arrived aboard its ship MV Cagayan Princess, and will be brought to the NBI-sanctioned morgue. "Early this morning, M/V Cagayan Princess has arrived Cebu with 99 casualties. These bodies will be brought to the morgue for NBI Clearance," Sulpicio Lines said in the advisory. The shipping firm said the 99 bodies were retrieved from Burias Island with the help of Pasacao, Camarines Sur mayor Asuncion Arsenio and the NBI. It said another of its ships, the MV Cebu Princess, is now docked at the Port of Pasacao with 17 casualties on board. GMA's Flash Report said MV Cebu Princess is expected to transport to Cebu for identification the bodies which were recovered on Burias Island in Masbate province. The television report said most of the bodies were exhumed after local residents buried them to prevent spread of disease. In its advisory, Sulpicio Lines added exhumation was to continue Tuesday at Oas town in Albay and in the Libmanan area. Based on the tally of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and National Disaster and Coordinating Council (NDCC), 56 persons have survived the tragedy, 250 bodies have been recovered and more than 500 persons remain missing. A total of 726 passengers, 111 ship crew and 29 non-crew were on board the MV Princess of the Stars when it capsized off the waters of Romblon province due to big waves generated by typhoon Frank on June 21. - GMANews.TV