Ship catches fire, sinks; 10 missing

Asearch and rescue operation has been launched for the 10 crew members of a cargo vessel that caught fire and sank off Caballo Island yesterday morning, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

Fire started at the engine room of “M/V Virginia 1” and quickly spread through the vessel until it sank 1:20 a.m., said Commander Armand Balilo, PCG spokesperson.

He said the fire broke while the ship was navigating at 1.5 nautical miles southwest off Corregidor Island.

The sinking was later confirmed by responding teams of Coast Guard Station Bataan.

One of the crew members of M/V Virginia 1 was rescued by two fishermen in the vicinity of Bogiw Island near Barangay Papaya, Nasugbo, Batangas hours after the sinking, Balilo said.

The survivor, Angelo Gamble, 39, of Isla Verde, Batangas and the ship’s quartermaster, told the PCG that there were 10 other crew members of the ship.

All passing vessels in the area have been alerted to be on the lookout of survivors, Balilo said.

It was gathered that the vessel had departed port in Delpan, Binondo, Manila about 7 p.m. Monday enroute to Roxas, Palawan, when the fire broke out.

Balilo said Gamble is in good condition and was taken by Coast Guard Nasugbo personnel to Apacible Memorial District Hospital for check up.