SURIGAO CITY – A boat carrying 20 passengers bound for Dinagat Island for Christmas were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PSG) after its engine ran aground, buffeted by strong rains and heavy rains brought about by Typhoon Ursula on Tuesday. Roque said the boat sneaked out of Surigao City using a different route amid the ban on sea travel earlier issued by PCG because of the typhoon. “The passengers of the boat wanted to go home to Dinagat Island for the December 25 Christmas celebration,” Roque said. “They wanted to be closer to Dinagat island, that’s why they opted to stay in Hikdop Island where the boat ran aground,” a rescuer said. “There are a lot of people from Dinagat Island who are stranded in Surigao City,” he said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 24, 2019 12:45 UTC