An oil tanker carrying industrial fuel oil sank in Manila Bay after encountering huge waves, prompting concerns of a potential major oil spill. The vessel, named Terra Nova, was en route to the central province of Iloilo when it began taking on water and eventually sank. The coast guard rescued 16 out of 17 crew members in a nighttime operation.
The sinking occurred amidst days of monsoon rains and a passing offshore typhoon, causing widespread devastation across the Philippines. An aerial survey identified an oil spill near the sunken tanker, raising fears of environmental damage.
