Global Courant
CEBU CITY – All 132 passengers and crew were rescued on Sunday after a passenger ship caught fire off the port of Tagbilaran City in Bohol, Philippines.
Dr. Anthony Damalerio, chief of the Bohol Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer, said KHO Shipping Lines’ MV Esperanza Star departed Iligan City at 4 p.m. Saturday from Iligan City to Lazi, Siquijor, en route to its final destination in Tagbilaran City.
However, at around 3:55 a.m., a fire broke out in the ship’s engine room.
“All 72 passengers, including children, and 60 crew members are all responsible and safe,” Dr. Damalerio said in a telephone interview.
Some passengers swam to port while others were rescued by area fishermen, Philippine Coast Guard personnel and crew members of a Trans-Asian ship.
Dr. Damalerio said the passengers were taken to the second floor of the Tagbilaran City port building.
He said the cause of the fire is still under investigation. THE PHILIPPINES DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
