10 dead, 100 rescued after fire hits passenger vessel in Basilan
By Liza Jocson
Published Mar 30, 2023 02:36 am
ZAMBOANGA CITY – At least ten people were confirmed dead while more than 100 were rescued when a passenger vessel caught fire in the sea off Basilan province before midnight Thursday, March 30.
THE MV Mary Joy as it burned in the sea of Baluk Baluk Island in Basilan before midnight on March 30. (Photo courtesy of Mayor Arsina Nanoh, Hadji Muhtamad)
The M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 was on its way to Sulu province from Zamboanga City when it caught fire in the sea off Baluk Baluk Island in Hadji Muhtamad municipality. Joint rescue efforts were mobilized by the Philippine Coast Guard stations in the area, the Philippine Navy and the Provincial, Municipal, and City Disaster Risk Reduction Management teams. Search and rescue teams were immediately organized by the municipalities of Hadji Muhtamad and Maluso where they were able to initially rescue four passengers. Hadji Muhtamad Mayor Arsina Kahing-Nanoh was one of the first to respond to passengers from the burning vessel. As of 9 a.m., four bodies were taken to Zamboanga City while six were brought to Basilan. Survivors, numbering 195, some of whom suffered burns, were brought to Zamboanga City and Basilan. At least 60 survivors were brought to the Camp Navarro General Hospital at the Western Mindanao Command and the Zamboanga City Medical Center. Hadji Abdulla Abduraja, a victim staying at the airconditioned accommodation of the vessel, said flames started from the back portion of the ship. He was in his cabin when he heard a commotion and learned that the ship caught on fire. He jumped together with other passengers. Christian Garcia, another passenger, suffered a sprain on his ankle after hitting a rock when he jumped off the boat. Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe visited the Zamboanga port and provided food and necessities to the victims. Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin of Isabela also went to the evacuation center where she comforted the victims. In a statement, Basilan Gov. Jim Hataman expressed its sympathies to the victims and ordered the mobilization of all provincial resources to assist the passengers. Inventory on the number of survivors and investigation on the cause of the conflagration is still ongoing as of posting time, a Philippine Coast Guard official said.
THE MV Mary Joy as it burned in the sea of Baluk Baluk Island in Basilan before midnight on March 30. (Photo courtesy of Mayor Arsina Nanoh, Hadji Muhtamad)
The M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 was on its way to Sulu province from Zamboanga City when it caught fire in the sea off Baluk Baluk Island in Hadji Muhtamad municipality. Joint rescue efforts were mobilized by the Philippine Coast Guard stations in the area, the Philippine Navy and the Provincial, Municipal, and City Disaster Risk Reduction Management teams. Search and rescue teams were immediately organized by the municipalities of Hadji Muhtamad and Maluso where they were able to initially rescue four passengers. Hadji Muhtamad Mayor Arsina Kahing-Nanoh was one of the first to respond to passengers from the burning vessel. As of 9 a.m., four bodies were taken to Zamboanga City while six were brought to Basilan. Survivors, numbering 195, some of whom suffered burns, were brought to Zamboanga City and Basilan. At least 60 survivors were brought to the Camp Navarro General Hospital at the Western Mindanao Command and the Zamboanga City Medical Center. Hadji Abdulla Abduraja, a victim staying at the airconditioned accommodation of the vessel, said flames started from the back portion of the ship. He was in his cabin when he heard a commotion and learned that the ship caught on fire. He jumped together with other passengers. Christian Garcia, another passenger, suffered a sprain on his ankle after hitting a rock when he jumped off the boat. Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe visited the Zamboanga port and provided food and necessities to the victims. Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin of Isabela also went to the evacuation center where she comforted the victims. In a statement, Basilan Gov. Jim Hataman expressed its sympathies to the victims and ordered the mobilization of all provincial resources to assist the passengers. Inventory on the number of survivors and investigation on the cause of the conflagration is still ongoing as of posting time, a Philippine Coast Guard official said.