The Philippine Coast Guard reported on Saturday morning, July 4, 2015 that the death toll from the sinking of the ill-fated M/B Kim Nirvana-B last Thursday has reached 59 casualties.
According to PCG Captain Pedro Tinampay of the PCG Eastern Visayas District, the additional bodies were retrieved on Friday night and Saturday morning.
Aside from the number of casualties, the Coast Guard also released the latest number of survivors which is at 140 people. The PCG also noted that the vessel went beyond its maximum capacity of 178 passengers despite the 173 passengers listed on the manifest.
Meanwhile, in a media briefing in Ormoc City, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary said that if there was negligence, it was on the part of boat captain Warren Oliverio.
The Philippine President Benigno Aquino III earlier ordered an investigation on the cause of the mishap.
