Over 1,000 passengers stranded in Bicol seaports

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Over 1,000 passengers are stranded in seaports in Bicol region as Tropical Storm Karen (Sarika) moved closer to Catanduanes, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Friday, October 14.

The PCG said that 621 passengers are stranded in Albay, 343 in Sorsogon, 20 in Catanduanes, 141 in Masbate, for a total of 1,125.

At least 28 ships, 43, motorized boats and 126 trucks, cars and buses were also stranded after the PCG suspended the sailing of all types of sea crafts operating in the region.

Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara strictly enforced the no-sailing policy on all fishermen while residents in coastal villages in the eastern seaboard of the province were alerted to avoid storm surges.

Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol said that at least 50 people were evacuated to safer ground due to the threat of lahar flow from Mount Bulusan.

Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro, OCD Bicol director and chairman of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) said that the evacuees are from Irosin in Sorsogon.

They are threatened by the possible remobilization of volcanic materials ejected by Mount Bulusan in the past days due to heavy rainfall brought by Tropical Storm Karen. – Rappler.com