Tagbilaran City, Bohol – All 132 passengers and crew were rescued after a passenger vessel caught fire near the Tagbilaran City port in Bohol at 3:55 this morning, Sunday.
The ship, MV Esperanza Star of KHO Shipping Lines, was en route to Tagbilaran City from Lazi, Siquijor when the fire broke out in the engine room. The fire quickly spread and engulfed the entire ship.
Some passengers were able to swim to shore, while others were rescued by fishing boats, the Philippine Coast Guard, and a Trans Asia vessel. All passengers and crew were accounted for and no injuries were reported.
Passengers who were rescued expressed their gratitude to the rescuers for saving their lives.
The shipping company, KHO Shipping Lines, said that it will conduct an investigation into the cause of the fire.
“We are very sorry for what happened,” said a spokesperson for KHO Shipping Lines. “We are committed to the safety of our passengers and crew, and we will do everything we can to prevent this from happening again.”
The spokesperson said that the company will provide assistance to the passengers and crew who were affected by the fire.