Ship from Calapan catches fire off Batangas port

A ship, carrying more than 80 persons and several vehicles, caught fire in waters off the Batangas port at past 5 p.m. on Friday.

According to the "24 Oras" report of Balitang Southern Tagalog's Paul Hernandez, one has been taken to the hospital for treatment while 34 others have been rescued.

On board the ship included 34 crew members, 48 passengers, and 16 vehicles.

The vessel came from Calapan, Mindoro and was about to dock at the Batangas port when it caught on fire.

In an interview with Rene Sta. Cruz on Super Radyo dzBB, Batangas Port Manager Joselito Sinocruz said, “Ang status po natin ngayon ay marami pong tumumutulong, hindi lang po ang mga taong gobyerno."

"Meron pong coordinating coast guard at ang atin pong port police. Meron din pong mga nagbabangka na tinutulungan na rin pong bugahan ng tubig," Sinocruz said.

(Our current status is that many people are helping out, not only the government people. There are also coordinating coast guard and our port police. Boatmen are also helping douse the ship with water.)

Authorities said the cause of the fire was still under investigation.

The Philippine Coast Guard has also sent two seacraft to rescue the passengers. —Sherylin Untalan/NB, GMA News