ZAMBOANGA CITY – Five persons were injured when a small wooden motorized boat caught fire off the coast of Rio Hondo, Zamboanga City on Thursday evening, July 6.
A WOODEN boat locally known as jungkong exploded and caught on fire off the coast of Rio Hondo, Zamboanga City on Thursday night, July 6. (Photo by Jungjung Cabato)
The five victims were identified as Darakuni Abdulajik Yacob, 12; boat captain Abdusalam Sapaat Abdulgani, 33; Nurgija Haraji Abdulgani, 3; Farah Haradji Abdulgani, 5; and Linda Sirail Haradji, 65.
All are residents of Pilas Island, Basilan province. They were brought to the hospital for treatment.
Abujarin Sapaat Abdulgani, the boat captain's brother, told police investigators that a spark from the engine ignited gasoline stored on board the boat.
The wooden boat, locally known as jungkong, exploded, prompting passengers to jump off the vessel.
The boat was loaded with gasoline and assorted goods when it tried to depart for Pilas Island from Zamboanga City at around 7:15 p.m.
Investigation is still ongoing.