Twenty-eight crewmembers of cargo vessel M/V Meridian 3 have been rescued while one man remains missing after the boat sank in waters off Dawahon Island which is located between Bato, Leyte and Bohol. 

The latest to be rescued after the vessel reportedly capsized at around 7 p.m. on Tuesday were four men including Boholano Noel Santocidad, a 45-year-old resident of Catarman, Dauis.

Prior to the rescue of the four men, other crew members had been found from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. yesterday by passenger vessel M/V Filipinas Butuan and M/V Ocean Kingdom.

According to reports, some of the men were located in Hinlongos, Leyte.

Meanwhile, the authorities continue to search for the missing crewmember identified as Benjamin Orola, the vessel’s crane operator.

The M/V Meridian was on its way to deliver goods to Tacloban City in Leyte from Cebu City when the incident happened.

The vessel was hit by strong winds and current causing it to capsize, sources said. (Allen Doydora)