Passengers of a Ro-Ro vessel that caught fire in the vicinity of Batangas port on Friday, August 26, 2022, are being rescued by emergency personnel. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)
A passenger vessel carrying 82 passengers and crew caught fire in Batangas on Friday afternoon, according to Commo. Armand Balilo, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard.
He identified the vessel as M/V Asia Philippines, operated by Batangas-based Starlite Shipping.
Balilo said there were 34 crew members and 48 passengers onboard the roll-on-roll-off vessel when the incident occurred at 5:59 p.m. and nine remained missing at press time.
A 44-year-old female passenger was rushed to a hospital after being rescued. —JOHN ERIC MENDOZA
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