Six individuals died after a passenger's vessel, plying Jolo, Sulu, caught fire in waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan on Wednesday evening, March 29, Isabela City Mayor Sitti Daialia Turabin-Kataman confirmed.
In an interview during Dos Por Dos on Thursday, Turabin-Kataman said six individuals — three adults and three children died from drowning. The youngest in the three chilren was 6 months old.
At least 67 individuals were rescued and 14 others were hospitalized, she said.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Basilan, it immediately deployed its Search and Rescue (SAR) team after receiving the report that the M/V Mary Joy 3 caught fire.
PCG Vessels BRP Cape Engaño, BRP Tubbataha, and MCS 3007 were also deployed, it said.
"Coast Guard Station Basilan will immediately check if there are signs of the oil spill and assist in the conduct investigation and assessment of the vessel at the same time continue conducting search and retrieval operations of the still missing individuals," the PH coast guard said.
PCG has yet to determine the cause of the fire incident.
