Quick and timely response by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had saved the lives of passengers from a burning sea vessel off the waters of Quezon Province on Monday morning.
PCG said Monday afternoon, it responded to a maritime incident involving MV MERCRAFT 2, a fast craft vessel that reported fire onboard off Real, Quezon, on Monday morning, May 23, 2022.
PCG said the fast craft vessel departed from Polillo Island at around 05:00 a.m. bound for Real, Quezon.
While underway, a fire started in the engine room.
Upon receiving a distress call at 06:30 am.,the PCG deployed search and rescue (SAR) teams to assist the 127 passengers and eight crew members on board.
Two (RoRo) vessels and four (4) motorbancas also augmented the SAR operations.
At around 11:30 a.m., the PCG reported 103 rescued (uninjured) individuals, 24 rescued (injured) individuals, and retrieved 7 dead passengers from the fire incident.
The fire was under control at around 09:33 a.m.
PCG said another vessel, MV Triple Kent, towed the ill-fated vessel to Baluti Island, Barangay Cawayan, Real, Quezon.
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