Passenger vessel catches fire en route to Real, Quezon; 7 dead 

INFANTA, Quezon – At least seven persons died when a passenger vessel caught and fire while en route to Real from Polillo Island in Quezon province today at around 5:00 AM.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed five women and two men were killed during the incident while six passengers in need of medical assistance were immediately sent to the Claro M. Recto Hospital in Infanta, the nearest health facility in the area.

A total of 105 individuals were rescued.

According to the PCG, the ferry was traveling from Polillo Island to Real, Quezon with 124 passengers on board when it suddenly bursts into fire about 1,000 yards from the Port of Real.

The PCG’s search and rescue (SAR) team immediately responded to the incident with other private vessels lending support during the rescue operations.