Survivors 158 Date 2 July 2015 Total number of deaths 62 | On board 220 Location Philippines Survivor 158 | |
Time Around 12:10 p.m. (PST) Inquest 2 separate investigations (Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine National Police) Accused Captain, ferry's owner, and 17 crew members Capacity 178 (173 passengers listed on manifest) | ||
The sinking of the Kim Nirvana-B occurred on the morning of 2 July 2015 en route from Ormoc to Pilar in Ponson Island, among the Camotes Islands. It was reported that the ship, a motorized bangka (outrigger canoe), was overloaded with passengers and cargo that led to it capsizing after making a sharp turn. The Kim Nirvana-B was rated to carry 178 passengers and 16 crew members but had at least 220 people on board at the time of the accident. Witnesses also reported that a large number of sacks of cement, rice and fertilizer were in the cargo area of the ship. Multiple murder charges were laid against the ferry's owner, captain and 17 crew members following the accident. On 9 July 2015, the Maritime Industry Authority reported that calculations show overloading was not the cause of the ship's sinking and instead cited the "negligent operations of the captain".