loading…
31 killed and 7 missing in ferry fire in Philippines. Photo/New York Post
MANILA – A ferry carrying around 250 passengers and crew caught fire in Filipina south. At least 31 people drowned or burned to death.
Governor of the southern island province of Basilan, Jim Hataman said, many of those rescued had jumped from the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 ferry in panic and were evacuated from the sea by the coast guard, navy, other ferries and local fishermen. Search and rescue efforts are continuing for at least seven of the missing passengers.
At least 23 passengers were injured and taken to hospital as a result of the incident.
“Some of the passengers were awakened from their sleep by the commotion caused by the fire. Some jumped overboard,” Hataman told The Associated Press by telephone.
Hataman said the flaming ferry was towed to the Basilan coastline, where coast guard personnel and other authorities later found another 18 bodies in the passenger cabin, adding the search for survivors was continuing.
“This victim died on board because of a fire,” Hataman said as quoted by The Associated Press, Thursday (30/3/2023).
Hataman said an investigation was under way and findings showed there were additional passengers who were not listed on the ship’s manifest.
“The ferry was on its way to the city of Jolo in Sulu province from the southern port city of Zamboanga when it caught fire in the middle of Basilan road towards midnight,” he said.
Marine accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago due to frequent storms, poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding and poor enforcement of safety regulations, especially in remote provinces.
In December 1987, the ferry Dona Paz sank after colliding with a fuel tanker, killing more than 4,300 people in the world’s worst maritime disaster.
(ian)
