At least three fishermen were killed, while 67 others were reported missing when a giant wave as tall as a two-story building sank over 100 fishing boats in the South China Sea off Bangar, La Union Saturday night, the Philippine Navy reported earlier this week.
Reports from other government agencies said, however, that 72 fishermen were missing, while another report stated that 68 fishermen remained unaccounted for.
The Philippine Navy said 48 fishermen survived when they managed to cling to pieces of wood and swim ashore. The number of survivors might go higher, the Navy said, adding that there could be other fishermen who reached shores, but did not report to the authorities.
Navy spokesman Commander Geronimo Malabanan said a Navy search-and-rescue team recovered yesterday one body, while the Coast Guard retrieved two other bodies.
Malabanan said the Navy rescued 10 fishermen, while other government agencies and private vessels picked up 48 people.
Reports said the fishermen were catching yellowfin tuna and octopus when huge waves suddenly hit their boats Saturday night.
Navy chief Vice Admiral Ernesto de Leon directed the Naval Forces North under Commodore Amado Sanglay to field more boats and ships participating in the search-and-rescue operations.
De Leon said four rubber boats, a patrol boat, a ship and a helicopter had earlier been dispatched to look for survivors.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) sent two helicopters, while the Philippine Coast Guard had several ships helping in the search mission. Reports said there were some 120 fishermen in the area when giant waves struck their boats.
The Coast Guard was still verifying the names of the boats crushed by waves.