The confirmed death toll of a passenger ship that caught fire in the waters off Basilan this Wednesday night has risen to 28, according to an official of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) this Thursday.
According to PCG District BARMM Commander Commodore Rejard Marfe, the remains of 18 victims were found inside the burned MV Lady Mary Joy 3.
The previously recorded death was ten who drowned after jumping from the burning ship.
“As of now, continuous ‘yung pag-search natin sa barko para makita natin kung meron pang cadavers na madi-discover,” said Marfe.
“Nalunod yung sampu. Ito ‘yung [mga] tumalon…na walang lifejacket and nalunod,” he added.
According to Marfe, about 230 and the ship’s crew survived the tragedy. Nine of the survivors sustained injuries and had to be taken to hospital.
Based on information obtained by Basilan Gov. Hadjiman Hataman-Saliman, the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 was coming from Zamboanga City and was on its way to Sulu when it caught fire.
He added that based on the story of some survivors, they were sleeping when the fire happened around 11:00 pm.
28 killed in Basilan ferry fire; 18 bodies found on the ship
The fire was declared extinguished at 7:30 a.m. this Thursday.
Based on the investigation by the authorities, the ship’s captain said that he took the vehicle to Baluk-Maluk Island in Hadji Muhtamad when there was a fire to save the passengers.
The fire is believed to have started in the accommodation area on the ship’s second deck.
It is said that the ship was not overloaded with a capacity of 430 people and only 205 passengers and 35 crew members when the fire occurred.
There was also no report of an oil spill from the ship, according to the PCG.
In a statement, Basilan Rep extended his condolences. Mujiv Hataman to the relatives of the victims.
The search for possible survivors of the tragedy, and even for the remains of those who died, is said to be ongoing.
It is said that the congressman’s office is also contacting the Department of Social Welfare and Development to provide additional financial assistance to the survivors for their expenses.
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