ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / June 10, 2012) – Six Filipino crewmen of a burning motor launch were injured while trying to put out the blaze in the vessel’s engine room in Sitangkai Island in the southern Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi, police said Sunday.
Police said the fire broke out while the ML Nursiba, owned by Ibno Kadil, was moored in the pier. “We are still investigating the cause of the fire, but six crewmen were injured while trying to put out the blaze,” Senior Superintendent Rodelio Jocson, the provincial police chief, told the Mindanao Examiner.
He said police rushed the wounded crew to the hospital.
It was not immediately known whether the motor launch is registered with the Maritime Industry Authority or not, but it was use to bring passengers and cargoes to islands around Tawi-Tawi.
Jocson appealed to ship owners to always ensure they have fire fighting and safety equipment in their vessels and to secure flammable materials. (With a report from Ely Dumaboc)
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