1 dead, 1 missing after fire engulfs ferry in Philippines

   June 27, 2022 ,   Accidents

A fire engulfed a ferry with 165 people onboard in the central Philippines.

All but 2 have been brought to safety, rescuers said.

One person is confirmed dead and one is still missing, the Philippine Coast Guard revealed.

The ferryboat Mama Mary-Chloe was sailing between Bohol Island and Leyte Island.

A Coast Guard video on FB showed survivors ashore in Hilongos (Leyte). The vessel, with 157 travelers and 8 crew, had sailed from Ubay (Bohol).

Some reports say kids had to jump from the burning ferry before being picked up.

Officials said they did not yet know the cause of the fire but estimated the boat was only carrying just over 50% of its maximum number of passengers.

The Coast Guard said the rescue of the crew and passengers had been swift because of the help from boats sailing in the waters when the accident happened.