The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that all 120 passengers and crew aboard were rescued after the passenger-cargo steamer caught fire at the coast of Panglao in Bohol province on Sunday, June 18.
A fire blazed MV Esperanza Star, owned by Kho Shipping Lines, while it was traveling from the Port of Lazi in Siquijor to the Port of Tagbilaran in Bohol.
Two PCG ships were dispatched to put out the fire and rescued 65 passengers and 55 crew members.
The Coast Guard posted photos and videos of flames and black smoke rising from two decks at one end of the boat.
The survivors was taken to the Tagbilaran City port in Bohol.
A fire out was declared at around 10 AM.
Sea mishaps are widespread in the Philippines, particularly in isolated areas, due to frequent storms, poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding, and sporadic enforcement of safety laws.
In March, PCG reported that a fire broke out in a ferry and killed 31 passengers and crew members off the southern island province of Basilan.
In December 1987, the ferry Doña Paz submerged after colliding with a petroleum tanker and killed over 4,300 people in the world's deadliest peacetime maritime tragedy.
