(Manila) A Philippine-flagged oil tanker carrying 1.4 million liters of oil capsized and sank Thursday off Manila, authorities said as they struggled to contain a leak of its cargo.
“We were able to save 16 of the 17 crew members, one of them is missing,” Transport Minister Jaime Bautista said at a press briefing.
Strong winds and high waves are hampering rescuers’ efforts, he said.
The incident occurred early Thursday, about seven kilometers from the municipality of Limay, located on Manila Bay, opposite the capital.
THE MT Terra Nova “capsized and eventually submerged,” the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement.
The Coast Guard says it is investigating whether weather disturbances in surrounding waters may have caused the maritime incident.
An oil slick was detected and marine environmental protection personnel were mobilised to try to contain it.