On July 27, a tragic incident occurred near Manila as a vessel capsized in strong winds, resulting in the loss of at least 25 lives. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) swiftly initiated rescue efforts to save more passengers still trapped in the waters. As of the latest update, 40 people have been rescued, but six individuals are still reported missing, and the search operations continue.

Disturbing footage shared by the PCG showed members of the coast guard retrieving a lifeless body, apparently that of a woman, from the choppy waters during their valiant efforts to locate survivors and bring them to safety.

According to the PCG's report, the boat was approximately 45 meters (147 feet) away from the shore when it was struck by powerful winds. The sudden panic among the passengers, causing them to shift to one side of the vessel, ultimately led to its capsizing off the waters of Binangonan, a coastal town located just a two-hour drive from Manila.

Adding to the challenging circumstances, the Philippines was already grappling with the aftermath of Typhoon Doksuri, which had battered the country earlier in the week. The typhoon brought winds of up to 175 km/h (108 mph) to Luzon, the northern and most populated island of the archipelago. Some ferries and boats were permitted to sail again on Thursday after the typhoon had passed.

The incident has once again highlighted the Philippines' ongoing struggles with maritime safety. The nation's record in this regard has been less than satisfactory, with issues such as overcrowded vessels and the use of aging ships contributing to safety concerns. As authorities continue their efforts to save lives and investigate the cause of the tragedy, attention remains on improving safety measures in the maritime sector to prevent similar incidents in the future.