PCG: M/L Sattelite, a wooden type of vessel with ten crew onboard including the captain and a Lorry Truck with plate number RMK 350 was caught on fire in Bengo Wharf, Baliwasan Seaside, Brgy Baliwasan, Zamboanga City yesterday, March 27.

TB 27, SARV 3503 and City Fire Trucks immediately conducted fire fighting to extinguish the fire. Unfortunately, increased volume of gasoline further contributed to the rapid spread and growth of fire hence the operation yielded to negative results.

Initial investigation revealed that the incident transpired when one of the crew started the ship’s generator while on drumming/bunkering of gasoline consequently the explosion occurred. Accordingly, the Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant (POL) products was intended to be shipped bound for Jolo, Sulu.

Two (2) cadavers were seen onboard the ill-fated M/L while four (4) crew were brought to Zamboanga City Medical Center for medical treatment and later were identified as Arsid Sal, 21 yrs old, Andung Sal, 34 yrs old, Hassim Nur, 31 yrs old and Al-Khabit Sadjail, 31 yrs. old. 

At 11:15 PM, the City Fire Marshals and Bureau of Fire Protection declared fire out but four (4) fire trucks remain on standby.

Around 8:30 am today, Coast Guard Special Operations Group (CGSOG) and Coast Guard Anti-Terrorism Unit (CGATU) retrieved three (3) cadavers from the ill-fated motor launch.

The PNP-SOCO was still conducting investigation. Likewise, the cadavers were turned-over to their respective families and will be transported in their homeland at Jolo, Sulu.