Leyte-bound passenger vessel catches fire; responders rescue 99 so far

A sea vessel carrying 157 passengers and eight crew members caught fire on Sunday afternoon while en route to Leyte, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

In its initial report, the PCG said the fire broke out on MBCA Mama Mary Chloe at 1 p.m. on Sunday in waters between Tugas and Tilmobo Islands.

According to the PCG, the vessel was carrying 142 adults and 15 children during the incident.

A total of 165 were onboard the said vessel, including the crew members, PCG spokesperson CG Commodore Armando Balilo told GMA News Online.

According to a Super Radyo dzBB report, the 99 survivors were already brought to Hilongos, Leyte after they were rescued by a passenger motor banca and another smaller vessel.

Meanwhile, PCG Station Eastern Bohol said that MBCA Mama Mary Chloe could carry up to 236 passengers.

The said vessel, which was already taking in water, had left Ubay, Bohol heading to Bato, Leyte when the fire of still “undetermined" origin struck.

All vessels in the area were alerted upon receiving the report, the PCG said.

Investigation and progress report about the incident will also be released soon, it added.  —LBG, GMA News