Passenger vessel catches fire at sea in Bohol, 1 confirmed dead

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) – One person died after a passenger vessel caught fire in waters off Tilmobo Island in Bohol province on Sunday.

The fatality was identified as Adolfo Rañola, 53 years old and a passenger of MV Mama Mary Chloe which was on its way to Bato town in Leyte when the blaze happened.

One person is still missing due to the blaze.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard report, the vessel departed from Ubay, Bohol at 1 p.m. and it was carrying eight crew members and 157 passengers.

Authorities said 163 of the 165 passengers have been rescued.

A total of 99 survivors were accounted for in Hilongos town in Leyte, while 25 persons were rescued in Barangay Tugas in the municipality of President Carlos P. Garcia in Bohol.

Some 37 individuals also survived the blaze and were saved in Gaus Island in President Carlos P. Garcia town. The PCG said they accounted for 34 persons in the areas as the three survivors left immediately. The two remaining survivors were seen in Barangay Aguining in the same town.

The PCG has yet to determine the cause of the fire incident.