MANILA, Mar 30 (NNN-PNA) – A ferry carrying more than 200 people caught fire, in southern Philippines late last night, killing at least 12 passengers, a local official said, today.
Citing an initial report, Nixon Alonzo, the chief of disaster reduction and management office, in Basilan province, told a local radio that, seven passengers who jumped into the sea remained missing. At least 195 passengers and 35 crew have been rescued.
He said, rescuers found four bodies on the vessel, while six were brought to the shore.
“The passengers died from drowning, after jumping into the water. Some suffered burns.”
Alonzo said the ferry, M/V Lady Mary Joy, was headed to Zamboanga City from Jolo, when it caught fire in the waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, in Hadji Muhammad town of Basilan province, past 10.00 p.m. local time yesterday.
The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed the incident, saying, it deployed personnel and its vessel to help in the search and rescue operations, but did not give details about casualties.– NNN-PNA
