35 killed in ferry fire in the Philippines

Bodies of 30 people found from ferry that burned in the Philippines. With this, the number of those killed in the incident has reached 35. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.

 

Rescuers entered the vessel for the first time after the fire was extinguished, having been unable to enter for several days due to heavy smoke and high temperatures. The bodies of 30 people were removed from the scene.

 

According to officials, there were more than 130 people on the ferry when the fire broke out. On Friday morning, it was reported that 43 people were rescued and 84 were missing.

 

Photos distributed by the coast guard service show that the sleeping areas inside the ferry were completely burned, turned to metal and ash. Some photos also show remains resembling human skeletons among the burned debris.

 

One of the surviving passengers said the fire initially started with a small amount of smoke, but within a few seconds it turned into a strong blaze. According to him, he and other passengers swam in the sea for nearly two hours until they were rescued.

 

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The Philippine Maritime Industry Authority, based on the testimonies of survivors, stated that two consecutive explosion sounds were heard on the vessel and the fire began after that.

 

The ferry, designed for 330 people, was nearing the end of a voyage lasting more than 20 hours, heading toward Coron, a famous tourist destination in the northern province of Palawan. The vessel also carried five motorcycles, an electric car, a forklift, a pickup truck, and other cargo.

 

The incident became the latest major maritime disaster in the Philippines in recent times. In January, a passenger ship with more than 300 people sank en route to Sulu province in the south of the country, and more than 60 people were killed.