In the Philippines, firefighters boarded a charred ferry; 84 people are missing
In the Philippines, firefighters were able to board a charred ferry that was traveling from Manila to Palawan province. The fire aboard the vessel killed at least five people, while another 84 people are considered missing.
As Cyprus Mail reports, thick smoke and high temperatures prevented firefighters from entering the vessel for more than a day after the blaze began. According to the manifest, there were 117 passengers and 17 crew members aboard. The coast guard revised the number of missing people from 86 to 84: two people initially included on the list were not actually on the vessel. Forty-three people were rescued.
The search operation continues
Aerial footage shows that the ferry's upper decks were charred by fire. A coast guard helicopter hovered above the vessel, while the smoke above it had become significantly weaker than the day before. Two firefighters were on the upper deck.
Five coast guard vessels and divers were deployed for the search. Army rescue boats, fishermen and owners of private resorts are also providing assistance. Coast guard representative Noemi Cayabyab said that a larger vessel would also be sent to the operation area.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The cause of the fire is being determined
The cause of the blaze has not yet been established. The fire broke out as the ferry was nearing the end of its more than 20-hour voyage to Coron, a popular tourist destination in northern Palawan. The Maritime Industry Authority, citing testimony from survivors, said that two successive explosions were heard inside the vessel, after which the fire began.
According to the coast guard, the ferry, with a capacity of up to 330 people, was carrying five motorcycles, an electric vehicle, a forklift, a pickup truck and mostly cargo. One rescued passenger told GMA News that a small amount of smoke turned into a major fire within seconds, and that he and other people stayed afloat for nearly two hours before being rescued.
The owner company, Atienza Inter-Island Ferries, said it was fully cooperating with government authorities investigating the incident.
