Philippine ferry fire leaves 12 dead, at least 7 missing

[Mike J]

What tragedy. 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/philippine-ferry-fire-leaves-12-dead-at-least-7-missing/ar-AA19fkUk?cvid=2b6f34455f5c49c6a0418d9cee9b383f&ei=28

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A ferry carrying about 250 passengers and crew caught fire between Philippine islands and at least 12 people were killed with seven still missing, a provincial governor said Thursday.

In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a Philippine Coast Guard ship trains its hose as it tries to extinguish fire on the MV Lady Mary Joy at Basilan, southern Philippines early Thursday March 30, 2023. Multiple people died and others were missing after an inter-island cargo and passenger ferry with more than 200 passengers and crew onboard caught fire close to midnight in the southern Philippines, a provincial governor said Thursday. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)
In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a Philippine Coast Guard ship trains its hose as it tries to extinguish fire on the MV Lady Mary Joy at Basilan, southern Philippines early Thursday March 30, 2023. Multiple people died and others were missing after an inter-island cargo and passenger ferry with more than 200 passengers and crew onboard caught fire close to midnight in the southern Philippines, a provincial governor said Thursday. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, survivors rest after being rescued from the still burning MV Lady Mary Joy at Basilan, southern Philippines early Thursday March 30, 2023. More than a dozen people died while other were reported missing after an inter-island cargo and passenger ferry with about 200 passengers and crew onboard caught fire close to midnight in the southern Philippines, a provincial governor said Thursday. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)
In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, survivors rest after being rescued from the still burning MV Lady Mary Joy at Basilan, southern Philippines early Thursday March 30, 2023. More than a dozen people died while other were reported missing after an inter-island cargo and passenger ferry with about 200 passengers and crew onboard caught fire close to midnight in the southern Philippines, a provincial governor said Thursday. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

Many of those rescued had jumped off the ferry in panic at the height of the fire and were plucked from the sea by the coast guard, navy, another ferry and local fishermen, said Gov. Jim Hataman of the southern island province of Basilan. The search and rescue effort was continuing Thursday.

In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard personnel search for survivors from the fire on MV Lady Mary Joy at Basilan, southern Philippines early Thursday March 30, 2023. More than a dozen people died while other were reported missing after an inter-island cargo and passenger ferry with about 200 passengers and crew onboard caught fire close to midnight in the southern Philippines, a provincial governor said Thursday. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)
In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard personnel search for survivors from the fire on MV Lady Mary Joy at Basilan, southern Philippines early Thursday March 30, 2023. More than a dozen people died while other were reported missing after an inter-island cargo and passenger ferry with about 200 passengers and crew onboard caught fire close to midnight in the southern Philippines, a provincial governor said Thursday. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

The governor said most of those onboard the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 were rescued overnight but authorities were double-checking the numbers from different rescue teams, suggesting the figures could change.

Related video: Passenger ship catches fire off Basilan | New Day (Dailymotion)

The ferry was enroute to Jolo town in Sulu province from the southern port city of Zamboanga when it caught fire midway off Basilan close to midnight, he said.

The dead included at least three children, who apparently were separated from their parents, and at least 23 passengers were injured and brought to hospitals, he said.

“Some of the passengers were roused from sleep due to the commotion caused by the fire. Some jumped off the ship,” Hataman told The Associated Press by telephone.

Most of those who died drowned and were recovered at sea, officials said.

The burned ferry has been towed to Basilan's shoreline and an investigation was underway, Hataman said.

Sea accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago because of frequent storms, badly maintained boats, overcrowding and spotty enforcement of safety regulations, especially in remote provinces.

In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard personnel plucks a survivor from the waters near a burning MV Lady Mary Joy at Basilan, southern Philippines early Thursday March 30, 2023. More than a dozen people died while other were reported missing after an inter-island cargo and passenger ferry with about 200 passengers and crew onboard caught fire close to midnight in the southern Philippines, a provincial governor said Thursday. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)
In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard personnel plucks a survivor from the waters near a burning MV Lady Mary Joy at Basilan, southern Philippines early Thursday March 30, 2023. More than a dozen people died while other were reported missing after an inter-island cargo and passenger ferry with about 200 passengers and crew onboard caught fire close to midnight in the southern Philippines, a provincial governor said Thursday. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

In December 1987, the ferry Dona Paz sank after colliding with a fuel tanker, killing more than 4,300 people in the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster.

[Possum]

59 minutes ago, Mike J said:

Sea accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago because of frequent storms, badly maintained boats, overcrowding and spotty enforcement of safety regulations,

 Regulations are in place to make them safe but as usual...not enforced.

[Sailor Jerry]

Gosh, so sad. Most have drowned, pitch black, just all jumped in the water. Fark, it’s like the 1800’s

[Jollygoodfellow]

56 minutes ago, Sailor Jerry said:

Gosh, so sad. Most have drowned, pitch black, just all jumped in the water. Fark, it’s like the 1800’s

I would say there was not much choice but to jump by the look of the photos.

 

[Jollygoodfellow]

Philippine ferry fire leaves 31 dead, at least 7 missing

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A ferry carrying about 250 passengers and crew caught fire in the southern Philippines and 31 people drowned or died in the blaze and were discovered later, a provincial governor said Thursday.

Many of those rescued had jumped off the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 in panic at the height of the fire and were plucked from the sea by the coast guard, navy, another ferry and local fishermen, said Gov. Jim Hataman of the southern island province of Basilan. The search and rescue effort was continuing Thursday for at least seven missing passengers.

The burned ferry was towed to Basilan’s shoreline, where coast guard personnel and other authorities later discovered 18 more bodies in a budget section of the passenger cabin, Hataman said, adding the search of the vessel was continuing.

“These victims perished onboard due to the fire,” Hataman said. The governor said an investigation was underway and the discovery suggested there were additional travelers not listed on the vessel’s manifest.

The ferry was enroute to Jolo town in Sulu province from the southern port city of Zamboanga when it caught fire midway off Basilan close to midnight, he said.

At least 23 passengers were injured and brought to hospitals.

https://apnews.com/article/philippines-ferry-fire-basilan-aca37f527e297842bde2ae5f837994a5

[Possum]

Nothing much has changed since the MV Dona Paz fire that killed over 4,000 in 1987. Lack of regulatory enforcement due to corruption was sited as a major contributor. I avoid the ferries here.

[BrettGC]

36 minutes ago, Greglm said:

Nothing much has changed since the MV Dona Paz fire that killed over 4,000 in 1987. Lack of regulatory enforcement due to corruption was sited as a major contributor. I avoid the ferries here.

Add to that poor training and it's inevitable.  The best trained Filipino seafarers are all OFW.

[CebuAndy]

One would think that a nation with 7,000+ Islands, and ferries everywhere, Would Had Learnt from the many past disasters. But no. Lives are cheap in Asia, and african countries.

RIP to all the victims.

[hk blues]

59 minutes ago, CebuAndy said:

One would think that a nation with 7,000+ Islands, and ferries everywhere, Would Had Learnt from the many past disasters. But no. Lives are cheap in Asia, and african countries.

RIP to all the victims.

It's not so much about learning as actually caring.  It's a bit like the all too frequent mass shootings in the USA, it's big news for a day or two but only remains in the minds of those directly affected thereafter - until the next one.