Fire in a ferry in the Philippines: violent fire in a boat in the Philippines, 31 people died, 230 people were rescued

Manila, At least 31 people have died after a ferry caught fire in the southern Philippines. About 230 people were saved in this fire. According to the AFP news agency, a disaster official, Nixon Alonzo, said the Lady Mary Joy 3 was traveling from the city of Zamboanga on the island of Mindanao to the island of Jolo in the province of Sulu when caught fire on Wednesday night. boat.

Meanwhile, rescuers including the Philippine Coast Guard and fishermen rescued 195 passengers and 35 crew members after receiving reports of the fire near Baluk-Baluk Island in the province of Basilan. Basilan Governor Jim Suliman said the death toll had more than doubled after 18 bodies were found on the ship. During a search of the yacht, the bodies were found inside an air-conditioned cabin. Citing witness statements, Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Rezard Marfe said people panicked because they were sleeping when the fire broke out.

According to the news agency, officials previously said 14 people were injured and seven were missing. Saliman said more people could be missing as the number of passengers on board exceeded the 205 listed on the ship’s manifest. The officer thinks there may have been passengers who did not sign up for the manifest. Saliman said the survivors were taken to Zamboanga and Basilan where the injured were treated. The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, is plagued by poor shipping, with poorly regulated ferries prone to overcrowding and accidents.

Read the latest news in America for the first time News84Media America | Read today’s latest news, live updates, the most trusted America news website, News84Media America.

Keywords: philippines