Philippines Ferry Fire: In the Philippines, 31 people have been burnt to death after a boat caught fire. According to the information, there were about 261 people on the boat, out of which 230 people have been saved. Local officials gave this information on Thursday.
Disaster official Nixon Alonzo said the boat, the Lady Mary Joy 3, was on its way from Zamboanga city to Jolo island in Sulu province on Mindanao island on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a sudden fire broke out in the boat. After the incident, many passengers on the boat jumped into the water to save their lives.
Rescue workers, including the Philippines Coast Guard and fishermen, rescued 195 passengers and 35 crew members. Basilan Governor Jim Suliman said a preliminary search on the boat found 18 bodies. Later the death toll increased.
No information about the cause of the fire
It is not clear how the fire started. The governor of Basilan said that the survivors were taken to Zamboanga and Basilan, where they are being treated according to their health.
Images released by the Coast Guard showed a burning ship being sprayed with water. Nearby, some Coast Guardsmen are seen taking out people who jumped into the water using small boats.
