Six dead, three missing after motorbanca capsizes in Zambales Lake

SIX people have lost their lives, three remain missing, and four others were rescued after a motorbanca carrying 13 members of an Aeta community capsized in Lake Mapanuepe, San Marcelino, Zambales, on Thursday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The tragedy unfolded around 2:00 p.m. near the well‑known Sunken Church in Barangay Buhawen, casting deep sorrow over the indigenous community and prompting an immediate search and rescue operation.

The passengers were identified as residents of Sitio Lumibao, belonging to the Aeta Indigenous Peoples community. They had traveled to the area to receive food supplies, medicine, and participate in a vaccination program at the local health center. On their return journey across the lake, their motorbanca encountered strong winds and rough water conditions, causing the vessel to overturn. The PCG confirmed that the passengers were on their way home from the health mission when the accident occurred.

Four individuals were successfully pulled from the water and rescued, while six bodies have been recovered so far. Authorities continue to search for the three people still unaccounted for.

The PCG noted that the exact circumstances leading to the capsizing remain under investigation, though severe weather and choppy lake conditions are believed to be the primary causes. Rescue and recovery teams remain deployed at the site as efforts to locate the missing persons continue.