One dead, 14 missing as ship sinks in Philippines

MANILA: One person died and 14 others are missing after a Myanmar-flagged cargo ship sank in waters off the northern Philippines, a coast guard spokesman said Sunday.

The search is still going on for the 14 missing Myanmar nationals after their ship, the MV Arita Bauxite, went down before dawn Sunday near the coastal Philippine town of Bolinao, said Lieutenant Commander Armand Balilo.

The ship, carrying 24 crew, sank after developing engine trouble, although what caused it to take on water is still unclear, said Balilo.

Nine surviving crewmen and the fatality were picked up by a passing Chinese vessel, he said.

"The weather was clear at the time. We have yet to ask the crew members what happened," he added.

A coast guard helicopter and a vessel have been dispatched to the area to hunt for the missing, he said.