Fifteen persons were rescued by Philippine Coast Guard personnel after their vessel caught fire in waters off Lampinigan Island, Isabela City in Basilan at dawn today, December 7.
The vessel, loaded with hardware materials, was on its way to Bongao, Tawi Tawi from Cawit, Zamboanga City when it caught fire due to an electrical malfunction.
The Philippine Coast Guard together with the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and the Bureau of Fire Protection Office in Basilan launched operations which led to the rescue of all 15 crew members on board.
The victims were brought to Lampinigan Island where they were provided with assistance.
BFP personnel, meanwhile, battled the flames and declared fire out at around 5:30am.
The BFP placed estimated damage at around P13.5-million.