2 dead as fishing boat catches fire in Cebu

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Two crew members died while three others remained missing after a fishing banca caught fire off the City of Naga, located 20 km south of this city, on Wednesday evening, May 5.

Another crew member of FBCA, King Bryan, was unconscious after sustaining third-degree burns, according to Ensign Abel Lomboy, information officer of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Central Visayas.

Five survived after they were rescued by PCG personnel.

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Lomboy said they received the fire alarm at 8:25 p.m. It took them about an hour to put out the fire.

The PCG information office has yet to provide other details of the incident, including the fishing banca’s point of origin and the names of all 11 persons on board the fishing banca.

“An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire,” Lomboy said.