The fire broke out on Wednesday night while the “Lady Mary Joy 3” ferry was traveling from Zamboanga City to Jolo Island in Sulu province.
Jim Salliman, Governor of Basila Province, informed the AFP news agency about the deaths: “Initially we had 13 deaths registered. Then we had 18 new deaths, so now there are 31.” Among the recognized bodies are “three children, including a six-month-old baby.”
The work of the rescuers, in coordination with the Philippine coast guard and fishermen, had favorable results: saved 195 passengers and 35 crew after the event that occurred near Baluk-Baluk Island, in the province of Basilan. In addition, fourteen people were injured.
What are the reasons for the fire?
Governor Salliman noted that one of the main problems occurred in the boarding list, since “there are probably passengers who did not register”, so the 205 passengers initially reported were exceeded. However, investigators still do not know the reason for the fire.
The survivors they were brought to Basilanwhere the injured were treated for burns, according to Salliman.
The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, It has a deficient maritime transport with frequent accidents on their ferries, prone to overcrowding and accidents.
the commodore Rejard Marfe, a member of the Philippine Coast Guardrevealed details of the fire: “When the fire spread, the captain ran the ship aground, so that more people could be saved by making it easier to swim to shore.”
“People panicked because almost everyone was sleeping when the fire started,” he added.
Source: Ambito
