Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) investigators on Wednesday said a “highly combustible material” could have possibly triggered the May 23 fire in a vessel off Real town in Quezon province where at least seven passengers were reported killed and 29 others injured.
PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu, in a press briefing, said they would turn over their report on the initial inquiry to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for proper disposition.
“Based on our initial findings, there was a highly combustible material above the engine room, actually on the deck, where the fire started,” Abu said. He declined to give further details.
MV Mercraft 2 carried 157 people when it caught fire just before reaching the port of Real.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo said the captain of the vessel is currently in their custody as the DOTr wanted to investigate all angles to determine the cause of the fire.
Mercraft Shipping Corp., which owns the star-struck ferry, has apologized to the victims of the blaze.