Manila (Philippines), 12 Sept. (LaPresse/AP) – The death toll from the fire that ravaged a passenger ferry in the Philippines on Wednesday evening has risen to 76. A further 13 people are missing, whilst 43 survived the incident: there were 132 people on board. The ferry had set sail from Manila and was heading for Coron, in the south-west of Palawan province, when the fire broke out some 39 kilometres from its destination. The cause of the fire has not yet been established. According to the Coastguard, one survivor reported hearing an explosion and speculated that the fire may have started in the hold. Rescue workers have recovered further bodies from the ferry, and the authorities are also searching for the captain, who is believed to have survived but is not among the 43 identified survivors. A maritime safety inquiry and a parallel criminal investigation will seek to clarify the causes of the fire and any liability on the part of the captain and the crew. According to the Coastguard, the survivors reported that the fire spread rapidly, leaving them no time to put on their life jackets. Investigators will also check whether emergency procedures were followed, including the raising of the alarm and the provision of assistance to passengers.
Philippines: Death toll from ferry fire rises to 76, with 13 still missing
Manila (Philippines), 12 Sept. (LaPresse/AP) – The death toll from the fire that ravaged a passenger ferry in the Philippines on Wednesday evening has risen to 76. A further 13 people are missing, whilst 43 survived the incident: there were 132 people on board. The ferry had set sail from Manila and was heading for Coron, in the south-west of Palawan province, when the fire broke out some 39 kilometres from its destination. The cause of the fire has not yet been established. According to the Coastguard, one survivor reported hearing an explosion and speculated that the fire may have started in the hold. Rescue workers have recovered further bodies from the ferry, and the authorities are also searching for the captain, who is believed to have survived but is not among the 43 identified survivors. A maritime safety inquiry and a parallel criminal investigation will seek to clarify the causes of the fire and any liability on the part of the captain and the crew. According to the Coastguard, the survivors reported that the fire spread rapidly, leaving them no time to put on their life jackets. Investigators will also check whether emergency procedures were followed, including the raising of the alarm and the provision of assistance to passengers.