Two additional bodies have been recovered from the capsized MV Hong Hai 16 off the coast of Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, bringing the number of missing individuals down to seven, authorities confirmed Thursday.

Rescue divers retrieved the first body at around 8:15 a.m. from an area beneath the ship’s bridge, near the crew accommodations. The second body was discovered at 11:36 a.m. inside a cabin on the vessel’s main deck

Authorities have yet to release the identities of the recovered victims. Survivors and family members of the crew have been asked to assist in the identification process on-site.

The MV Hong Hai 16, a cargo vessel with 25 crew members — 13 Filipinos and 12 Chinese nationals — capsized earlier this week, prompting an ongoing multi-agency search and rescue operation led by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

In parallel with search efforts, the Marine Environmental Protection Enforcement Response Group in Southern Tagalog has taken steps to prevent a possible oil spill. As a precautionary measure, they deployed 250 meters of oil spill boom around the site of the capsized vessel.

The PCG clarified that no visible oil sheen has been detected in the vicinity during their latest surface inspection. The agency emphasized that the vessel was not transporting crude oil at the time of the incident, adding that any automotive oil onboard is likely to evaporate rather than pose a major environmental hazard.

Philippine Red Cross volunteers have also been deployed to conduct health assessments on responders, ensuring their well-being as the mission progresses.