Huge Fire on Container Vessel Leaves 3 Injured, 1 Dead off Cebu Waters
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has responded to a fire onboard incident involving container vessel
MV General Romulo with 20 crew members onboard at the vicinity waters off Talisay City, Cebu today, 17 April 2022.
Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Talisay received information that M/V General Romulo, a container ship and domestic vessel, was caught on fire while anchored in the vicinity waters off Talisay City.
Immediately, personnel of CGSS Talisay and Talisay City Bantay Dagat responded to the incident and conducted a medical evacuation. Three were reported injured and one casualty.
Furthermore, BRP Malamawi (FPB-2403), Special Operation Unit (SOU)-Central Visayas, and Coast Guard Medical Central Visayas have been directed to proceed to the area for assistance.
Nineteen of 20 crew members were already rescued and were brought to the shoreline for medical assistance.
The body of the last crew member is still onboard the vessel. Unfortunately, the responding team could not rescue/retrieve him due to the magnitude of fire prevailing on the ship.
Based on the initial investigation, the cause of the incident was an explosion. The PCG team is still identifying the particular pipe that exploded. Firefighting is still ongoing.
However, an investigation is underway, and a progress report to follow soon.
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