All 120 passengers and crew members aboard a Philippine ferry that caught fire at sea on June 18, were safely rescued and the fire was doused, the Philippines coast guard reports
The ship, MV Esperanza Star caught fire in the early morning while heading from Siquijor province to Bohol province in the central Philippines, carrying 65 passengers and 55 crew members. The coast guard stated that it had dispatched two vessels to assist in the rescue and extinguishment of the fires, which had been raging for more than five hours.
The coast guard posted photos and video of flames and black smoke rising from two decks at one end of the boat. A fishing boat and another vessel can be seen nearby as coast guard troops aboard another vessel used a water cannon to put out the fire.
"All those who were onboard the ferry are safe," Joy Gumatay, a coast guard spokesperson, said in a statement, without providing any further details.
Joy Gumatay also informed that the survivors had been taken to the port city of Tagbilaran in the province of Bohol, where an inquiry was underway.
Because of frequent storms, poorly maintained boats, overcrowding, and sporadic enforcement of safety laws, sea accidents are widespread in the Philippine archipelago, particularly in outlying regions.
A fire broke out and raged overnight aboard a ferry carrying around 250 people in March, killing at least 31 passengers and crew members off the southern island province of Basilan, according to the coast guard.
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