At least 21 lives were tragically lost when a passenger boat, the MBCA Princess Aya, capsized in the Philippines on Thursday.
The incident occurred shortly after the boat departed from Binangonan town in Rizal province, just east of Manila.
According to coastguard spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo, strong winds pummeled the vessel, causing panic among the passengers who rushed to one side, leading to the capsizing.
The accident happened merely 45 meters away from the shore of a village in Binangonan, while the boat was en route to Talim Island, a journey that typically takes just 30 minutes.
It was revealed that the boat was allowed to set sail after the storm warning over Rizal was lifted following Typhoon Doksuri's departure from the region earlier on Thursday morning.
As of now, the death toll stands at 21, with authorities working to confirm the final count.
This tragedy adds to the toll of Doksuri, which battered the northern Philippines, causing floods, landslides, and other accidents that claimed at least 8 lives and displaced over 26,000 people.
The incident has prompted authorities to reevaluate safety protocols during stormy weather and ensure that boats are not cleared for sailing until conditions are genuinely safe for travel.
Families of the victims and the affected community are in mourning as they cope with this devastating loss.