Fire hits SuperFerry 12; smoke rising to top deck

Fire struck a commercial ferry loaded with passengers while on sail in the waters of Cebu province, GMA 7’s DZBB reported. Coast guard personnel rushed to the WG&A Superferry 12, which was reportedly forced to anchor some 60 nautical miles from Bantayan island. Thick smoke rose to the vessel’s top deck. Search and rescue teams came to the aid of the ferry passengers. WG&A officials said 664 passengers, including three infants, were onboard the ship. They assured that all the passengers were safe and will be taken to Cebu as soon as the blaze is completely put out. The fire may have emanated from cabin 205 or 206, although the cause has yet to be determined, radio reports said. On Feb. 27, 2004, Abu Sayyaf bandits purportedly bombed another WG&A vessel, Superferry 14, killing 116 people. The bandits reportedly asked for protection money from the company. WG&A maintained that a gas tank explosion triggered the incident and not a terror attack.-GMANews.TV