By Janine Dumaguin
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday, March 31 said the death toll from the M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 passenger ferry that caught fire off the waters of Basilan rose to 29.
Of this, 11 passengers were recovered at sea, while the remaining 18 were retrieved inside the ship.
PCG District BARMM Commander Commodore Rejard Marfe added 216 were rescued out of 252 passengers.
Meanwhile, based on the latest data from PCG, at least seven individuals are still missing.
The vessel was carrying over 250 passengers consisting 205 passengers, 35 crews, eight Army personnel, and four PCG personnel.
The M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 was traveling to Jolo Island, Sulu from Zamboanga City when a fire engulfed off the waters of Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan on Wednesday evening, March 29. – cf
