(UPDATE) AT least 26 people were reported dead while seven were missing after a passenger vessel caught fire near Basilan Island late Wednesday evening, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said Thursday.
Basilan PDRRMO chief Nixon Alonzo said these reports came from the Hadji Muhtamad Municipal DRRMO and are still subject for validation.
“Bale total po, according sa nalaman namin, apat na ang naiwan namin dito sa barko tapos noong dumating kami sa may port ng Isabela, may anim ding namatay. So all in all, 10 po ‘yung mga namatay po,” Alonzo said.
“Nakuha sila sa barko na patay or tumalon kasi yung iba sa dagat. Either nalunod or may mga nakita rin kami na signs na yung iba ay sunog din,” he added.
A total of 195 passengers and 35 crew members were rescued from the fire, according to Alonzo.
A report on Unang Balita said the vessel, MV Lady Mary Joy 3, was docked at the pier of Baluk-Maluk Island when fire broke out a few minutes after 11 p.m. on Wednesday. It was scheduled to travel to Jolo, Sulu.
Authorities as of Thursday morning were still conducting monitoring activities to determine whether there were additional casualties.
Coast Guard Station Basilan reported that the conduct of search and rescue operations is ongoing at the vicinity waters off Baluk-Baluk Island in Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan.
“Upon receipt of information regarding the said fire incident, a Search and Rescue (SAR) Team from Coast Guard Sub-Station Maluso immediately proceeded in the area of the incident and was able to retrieve one female cadaver,” said the Coast Guard in a Facebook post.
Another SAR Team composed of CGS Basilan, CGSS Lamitan and Special Operations Unit Team Lamitan personnel were also deployed.
The CGSS Hadji Muhtamad, which formed a Joint Search and Rescue Team with the Local Government Unit of Hadji Muhtamad led by the Mayor Arsina Kahing-Nanoh, was able to rescue four individuals and retrieved another female cadaver.
The BRP Cape Engaño, BRP Tubbataha and MCS 3007 were also deployed in the area to assist in search and rescue operations.
The Coast Guard Station Basilan, meanwhile, will also check for signs of oil spill and assist in the conduct of an investigation into the incident and assessment of the vessel.
Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Coast Guard District South-Western Mindanao commander Commodore Marco Antonio Gines said the fire allegedly started at the accommodation area on the second deck of the vessel.
“Hindi pa nagko-conduct ng full investigation but allegedly galing sa accommodation area sa second deck ng barko, sa second layer,” he said.
“Hindi pa natin talaga malaman kung ano ang nag-cause. Maaaring electrical o nag-smoke. Hindi pa natin ma-sure,” he added.
Gines said the vessel was located in the shoreline because the captain steered it there to save the passengers.
“Siguro yun yung kanyang recourse to save the ship at yung mga passengers na niya rin, para malapit lang sa shoreline kaya nandoon siya ngayon sa Baluk-Maluk Island,” he added.
Initially, Gines said the vessel was not overloaded with its 430 capacity. According to him, the vessel only had 205 reported passengers and 35 crew.
There is no reported oil spill from the vessel so far, Gines also said.
The 243 survivors were being transported through different vessels to Zamboanga City where more personnel can assist them, according to Gines.
Relief aid
Following the recent tragic incidence of MV Lady Mary Joy 3 bound for Jolo from Zamboanga, the Provincial Government of Basilan thru the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office has come forward to help rescue and provide relief aid.
Headed by PDRRMO Nixon Alonzo, together with the Hadji Muhtamad LGU led by Mayor Arsina Kahing-Nanoh and other line agencies straight away made the needed rescue mission.
As reported, five confirmed dead, 195 boat passengers and 35 boat crew members rescued, 7 still missing when MV Lady Mary Joy 3 of Aleson shipping caught fire in Baluk-baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad town, Basilan.
Basilan Governor Jim Salliman confirmed six bodies were fished out in Baluk-baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad town for identification. All passengers of the said ill-fated boat.
Mayor Sitti Djalia A. Turabin-Hataman visited the temporary evacuation center for the survivor passengers of MV Lady Mary Joy, a ship caught fire along the waters of Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan Province on Wednesday night. Owned by Aleson Shipping, the vessel left Zamboanga City Pier and was bound for Jolo, Sulu.
According to PCG, five passengers were reported dead while other passengers were already found among the 205 passengers in manifest with 36 crew. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
The City Government of Isabela for its initial action immediately dispatched CDRRMO sea ambulance team and coordinated with PDRRMO and PCG.
Isabela City Health Officer Dr. Mohrein Ismael VI reported the following unidentified cadavers:
1 baby boy around 6 month old
1 child/female around 2 years old.
1 adult female around early 30years
1 adult male with burn marks around early 40s
According to Isabela City CSWDO Ms. Nor-Aina Asmara, as of this morning, 81 individuals were rescued, 17 were admitted to Basilan General Hospital and Infante Hospital while 64 individuals were still at the evacuation center located near Bulwagan Hall.
