RESCUED Passengers of MV Mercraft 2 are being rescued after the vessel caught fire in the waters off Real town, Quezon province early on Monday, May 23. (PHOTOS FROM THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD FACEBOOK via VINCENT BARDOG CACERES)
LUCENA CITY––Seven passengers of the ill-fated MV Mercraft 2 were still missing, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Monday, May 23.
In its latest report at 10:50 a.m., the PCG said at least 23 passengers were injured and receiving medical treatment at the nearest hospital.
Earlier, PCG Commodore Armand Balilo said seven still-unidentified passengers—five women and two men––had died.
The PCG said they rescued 120 passengers aboard Mercraft 2 around 6:45 a.m. after the vessel caught fire at about 1,000 yards from the Port of Real.
According to the PCG, the ship had 124 passengers and 10 crew when it left Polillo Island at 5 a.m.
The blaze was placed under control at 10 a.m., the PCG reported.
The charred ship has been towed to Baluti Island in Barangay Cawayan in Real town.
The search-and-rescue operation was ongoing.