By Gabriela Baron
Five fisherfolk were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) after a fishing vessel caught fire and sank off Palawan waters on Monday, May 15.
Fishing vessel Victor 89 submerged in Imalaguan Island in Barangay San Carlos, Cuyo in Palawan.
According to the crew, it was around 4:00 a.m. when an explosion was heard in the auxiliary engine of the fiberglass fishing vessel.
A fire followed the explosion.
The fisherfolk sailed from Navotas Fish Port on March 2 to fish in the Sulu Sea. They were anchored in Imalaguan Island when the blaze occurred.
Two of them suffered first degree burns on their arms and backs.
They were taken to the Cuyo District Hospital to receive the necessary medical assistance.
Meanwhile, PCG’s Marine Environmental Protection Force immediately deployed an oil spill boom to control the possible threat of an oil spill.
-ag