Passengers tell tales of panic in MRT-3 fire incident

Passengers of the Metro Rail Transit-3 said they feared for their lives after explosions and fire hit one of its coaches at the Guadalupe Station and injured eight over the weekend.

According to Dano Tingcungco's "24 Oras" report, Rosalie Ribangcos thought she was going to die after she was stepped on by passengers rushing to escape.

She also had wounds on the lips because of the incident.

"Akala mo mamamatay ka na. 'Yung putok nakakatakot na e, parang sinusundan kami e," Ribangcos said.

[I thought I was going to die. The blast was really scary, it was as if it was following us.]

Just as the passengers of the train could not handle the scent of the smoke, some tried to break the windows before the doors opened.

John Mark Relado said he witnessed some passengers breaking the MRT-3 windows because the train doors were still closed.

Luckily, Ribangcos said, doors were eventually opened, allowing others to leave the train and walk through the tracks.

MRT-3 management said it was already looking into the fire.

They also assured the public that they are making "preparations" before using the trains for commuters.

The Sumitomo Corporation, MRT-3's maintenance provider, apologized for the mishap, adding that they will be looking into all possible angles  that caused the fire.

"As the maintenance provider of MRT-3, express our sincerest apologies... We are currently conducting the investigation with the MRT-3 management to identify the root cause of this incident," the corporation said.

Sumitomo said it was taking countermeasures to ensure the safety of MRT-3 operation. "All angles are being thoroughly examined," it said in a statement. -Consuelo Marquez/NB, GMA News