ZAMBOANGA CITY – Four crew members of a fishing boat owned by a major canning factory died due to suffocation on board their fishing vessel on Thursday, June 11.
Three fatalities were identified as Ranillo Sanugal Jr., 27; John Edgar Dotillos, 22; and Arnold Bongcawel. The fourth remains unidentified.
The victims were working inside the storage hold when they fell unconscious. Responders transported the victims to a hospital where they were declared dead.
Investigators are looking into a possible buildup of hazardous gases and a lack of oxygen within the tight confines of the ship’s hold as possible reasons for their deaths.
The canning factory has not issued a statement on the incident. Relatives expressed disbelief and sorrow over their deaths.