The Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao responded to a 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐍𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 involving motorbanca 𝐋𝐀𝐃𝐘 𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐀 in the vicinity waters off Barangay Rio Hondo, Zamboanga City, at around 7:50PM yesterday, 06 July 2023.

The motorbanca, with eight crew members, departed from Barangay Rio Hondo, Zamboanga City, en route to Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan. It had approximately 100 liters of gasoline and various essential goods.

The crew said a short circuit occurred while underway, which eventually caused a fire onboard.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) assisted the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in conducting firefighting and search and rescue (SAR) operations.

Five injured victims — one with third-degree burns, two with second-degree burns, and two with minor burns — were taken to the Zamboanga City Medical Center for immediate medical treatment.

Other crew members were rescued and declared in good physical condition.

When the BFP declared fire out at around 11:30PM, the Marine Environmental Protection Force-Southwestern Mindanao and Coast Guard Sub-Station Rio Hondo inspected the vicinity waters for possible traces of oil spill and yielded a negative result.