At least three people drowned while trying to escape from a burning passenger and cargo ferry bound for Dapitan City in Zamboanga late last night.
Chloe Labising, 1; Danilo Gomez Sr., 60; and a man named Orlando Heneral died after Lite Ferry 16 caught fire, reported CNN Philippines. The ferry, which had at least 174 people on board, became engulfed in flames a few hours after leaving Cebu City.
As of 11am today, 110 passengers have been rescued while the rest are missing, reported SunStar Cebu. Most of those rescued were brought to the Dapitan City Resort Hotel. At least two passengers who lost consciousness were brought to a hospital, reported GMA News.
An initial report from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Northern Mindanao said that the fire started in the vessel’s engine room.
A passenger named Fred Castro wrote in a Facebook post that the fire started at around 11:30pm. He alleged that the PCG didn’t come to their rescue and that he only escaped when another passenger ferry came to their aid.
Another passenger named Allan Barredo supported Castro’s claim and said the PCG could not be seen in the first three hours after the fire started.
The PCG has yet to make any statements regarding the cause of the fire.
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