Four workers of a fishing company allegedly died of suffocation while cleaning a container used for storing fish inside a vessel.

The incident happened at a private port in Barangay Cawit, Zamboanga City on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

Based on investigation, two employees entered the container to clean it after the fish was removed.

However, the employees lost consciousness and collapsed. Believing they were electrocuted, one crew member turned off the vessel’s power supply.

Later, two more employees went inside to rescue the victims, but they also collapsed and lost consciousness.

The victims were retrieved by another crew member who was wearing a face mask.

They were brought to a hospital, but three of them were declared dead on arrival. The fourth victim died while undergoing treatment.

Because of the incident, the City Health Office, police, Philippine Coast Guard, and other agencies inspected the vessel to determine the cause of death.

Authorities are also investigating possible violations of safety and health protocols.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the victims’ family and the fishing company for a statement, as of this writing.

(With reports from Efren Mamac, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao)