Tablas Strait, Maritime strait in Mimaropa region, Philippines
Tablas Strait is a sea passage in the Mimaropa region of the Philippines, running between Mindoro Island to the west and Tablas Island to the east. It forms one of the main waterways linking the western and central parts of the Philippine archipelago.
In December 1987, the passenger ferry MV Doña Paz collided with the oil tanker MT Vector in these waters, causing a fire that killed an estimated 4,386 people. The disaster is considered one of the deadliest peacetime maritime accidents ever recorded.
Fishing communities along the shores launch small wooden boats early each morning to work the waters of the strait. The daily catch shapes the rhythm of coastal villages on both sides of the passage.
The strait is best experienced by taking one of the regular ferry crossings between the islands rather than visiting as a destination itself. Conditions on the water can change quickly, so checking weather before departure is a good habit for any crossing.
One detail many visitors overlook is that the true number of victims from the 1987 disaster was never officially confirmed, because many passengers had boarded without a ticket. This means the tragedy remains only partially documented, even decades later.
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