Twenty-eight people were rescued while four remained missing after a dive yacht sank in the vicinity of Tubbataha Natural Park on April 30, 2023.

The M/Y “Dream Keeper” had 15 crew members, 12 passengers or guests, and five dive masters, including four Chinese nationals when it went down in the protected area, the Philippine Coast Guard reported.

According to Commodore Armand Balilo, the PCG spokesperson, said the rescued individuals were brought to the nearest medical facilities for treatment, while the search for the missing passengers continued.

The 28 survivors of the sunken yacht reached Puerto Princesa City aboard BRP Melchora Aquino on May 1, the PCG said.

The M/Y “Dream Keeper” departed from San Remegio, Cebu on April 27, 2023, with the expected arrival at Tubbataha Reef on April 29, 2023, Balilo said.

The PCG confirmed that the vessel arrived at Tubbataha Reef at 10 p.m. on Saturday, based on their social media post.

However, on Sunday at 6:49 a.m., the PCG command center received information regarding the sinking of the vessel. The PCG immediately dispatched BRP Melchora Aquino for search and rescue operations.

Balilo stated that four Chinese nationals were among the passengers of the sunken dive boat. He has yet to confirm the nationalities of other passengers and whether the four Chinese nationals were among those rescued.