At least 31 people have died and seven others are still missing after a boat caught fire in the southern Philippines. There were about 250 passengers and crew members on board the ferry. The provincial governor gave this information on Thursday.
Basilan Governor Jim Hattaman said many of those rescued had jumped into the water from the ferry MV Lady Mary Joy in panic after the fire broke out. They were pulled out from the sea by the Coast Guard, Navy, another boat and local fishermen. The search and rescue operation is continuing on Thursday as well. At least seven passengers are still missing. The governor said that the boat ‘MV Lady Mary Joy 3’ was brought to the shores of Basilan. 18 bodies were recovered from a cabin in the yacht. The search is on inside the boat as well.
Hataman said, “These people died in the boat itself because of the fire.” He said the boat was traveling from the southern port city of Zamboanga to the city of Jolo in Sulu province when it caught fire in the middle of the night.
The governor said that at least 23 passengers were injured in the accident, who have been admitted to hospitals. Governor Jim Hattman told The Associated Press by phone that “the commotion caused by the fire woke up passengers.” Some of them jumped off the boat.
Marine accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago, especially in remote provinces, due to frequent storms, ill-fated boats, overcrowding and lax enforcement of safety regulations. Notably, in December 1987, the yacht ‘Donna Paz’ sank after colliding with a fuel tanker. More than 4,300 people were killed in this incident, one of the world’s worst maritime accidents.
