3 missing, 10 rescued in Pangasinan river boat sinking

BINMALEY, Pangasinan, Philippines — Three people are missing while 10 others were rescued after a motorboat they were riding sank at a river here on Saturday night. Police said they received a call for help past 11 p.m. and immediately coordinated with the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office for a search and rescue operation. Investigators said the 13 were aboard a motorboat cruising along the Camaley-Balogo River when they noticed water filling the boat. The probers said the passengers panicked and jumped into the river. Ten people, including the boat operator, were rescued while the remaining three, a man and two women, were reportedly carried away by the strong current. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the safety of water transportation in the Philippines, particularly in rural areas where river management and infrastructure may pose challenges. While the direct cause of the sinking is under investigation, factors such as adverse weather conditions, overloading, or the vessel's condition could have contributed.