Reuters AlertNet Full site
Homepage | Newsdesk | NGO Latest | Crisis briefings | Country profiles | MediaWatch | Jobs | Alerting | Login

NEWSDESK

Hundreds rescued in Philippine ferry fire
10 Jun 2007 10:55:08 GMT
Source: Reuters
MANILA, June 10 (Reuters) - Hundreds of people were rescued when a wooden-hulled ferry caught fire in rough seas near Mindoro island in the southern Philippines on Sunday, a coast guard spokesman said.

Commander Joseph Coyme said 255 crew and passengers of the ferry, MV Catalin-D, were rescued by passing fishing boats and a Philippine Coast Guard ship. Five people died.

"Based on our initial investigation, the fire started in the ship's cargo bay," Coyme told reporters as dozens of people plucked from the sea were brought back to Manila.

"An investigation is underway to determine what caused the fire."

Coyme said the coast guard received distress signals early on Sunday morning, a few hours before the fire engulfed the ferry, causing it to sink. The ferry left Manila late on Saturday night for Palawan.

The Philippines' worst ferry disaster was in the 1990s when a ferry collided with an oil tanker in the central Philippines, killing about 5,000 people.


AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article       Send comments

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.
Reset map

•  Philippines profile
· View map

MORE >>

NGO latest

•  World Vision sponsored children call for a child friendly nation in the Philippines
WV - International

•  World Vision sponsored children call for a child friendly nation in the Philippines
WV - International

•  Plan launched a worldwide camapign calling for action on girls' rights abuses
Plan UK

•  Plan launched a worldwide camapign calling for action on girls' rights abuses
Plan UK

•  Relief Supplies Arrive for Typhoon Durian Survivors
Children Intl - USA

MORE >>

Latest news

•  Hundreds rescued in Philippine ferry fire

•  Gunmen kidnap Italian priest in Philippine south

•  Southeast Asia battles dengue surge, climate fears

•  Army, rebel leaders face off in Philippine south

•  Manila gets 10 old helicopters from Washington

MORE >>

Disclaimers |  Copyright |  Privacy |  Contact Us |  Feedback |  About Us |  RSS XML

Last updated:Sun Jun 10 10:56:49 2007