MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has escalated its search and rescue efforts for 15 fishermen missing since September 1, as tropical storm Yagi wreaked havoc, later intensifying into a super typhoon before making landfall in China. The fishermen were last known to be in the Philippine Rise area, off Luzon’s eastern coast, when their boat was separated from another due to severe weather conditions.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the PCG reported that the fishermen had tried to cease their fishing activities and head to safety upon learning of the approaching storm, but adverse sea conditions led to their separation and subsequent loss of communication. This incident underscores the perils faced by maritime workers during typhoon season in the region.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has reported that Yagi has resulted in at least 20 fatalities and left 26 individuals missing across the Philippines. It remains unclear if the 15 fishermen are included in the NDRRMC’s count of the missing. This situation highlights the broader impacts of Yagi across the nation, prompting a coordinated response from multiple agencies to address the aftermath and ongoing threats posed by the typhoon.