PCG looking for 10 missing after cargo vessel catches fire, sinks

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is searching for 10 crew members of a cargo vessel which caught fire and sank off Caballo Island early Tuesday morning.

PCG spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo said the M/V Virginia 1 sank after a fire broke out in its engine room at around 1:20 a.m.

A survivor from the ship was rescued by fishermen in the vicinity of Bogiw Island in Barangay Papaya, Nasugbu, Batangas.

Balilo identified the survivor as Angelo Gamble, 39,  quartermaster of the ship and a resident of Isla Verde, Batangas.

“Gamble revealed that he is one of the 11 crew, including the captain, of the M/V Virginia 1. The 10 other crew members are still missing,” the PCG spokesperson said.

He added that the survivor was in good condition and was brought by PCG personnel in Nasugbu to the Apacible Memorial District Hospital for a medical examination.

The surviving crew member was rescued by two fishermen at around 7 a.m. Tuesday, hours after the vessel sank, while the fishermen were in the vicinity of Bogiw Island.

Initial investigation showed that the M/V Virginia 1 left Delpan, Binondo at around 7 p.m. Monday en route to Roxas, Palawan.

But at around 1:20 a.m. Tuesday, a fire broke out in the ship’s engine room while it was 1.5 nautical miles southwest off Corregidor Island.

Balilo said the cargo vessel sank minutes later at around 1:45 a.m.

Personnel from PCG stations in Corregidor and Mariveles were immediately dispatched to conduct search and rescue operations.

Balilo said they had alerted all passing vessels in the area to be on the lookout for survivors. JE/rga