One of the twenty crew members of the 519 TEU container vessel General Romulo was found dead, after a fatal fire onboard the ship on 17 April, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Another three seafarers were injured in the accident that occurred at the vicinity waters off Talisay City, Cebu, Philippines.
Based on the initial investigation, the cause of the incident was an explosion.
PCG said that Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Talisay received information that General Romulo was caught on fire while anchored in the vicinity waters off Talisay City.
"Immediately, personnel of CGSS Talisay and Talisay City Bantay Dagat responded to the incident and conducted medical evacuation," said PCG.
INCIDENT REPORT: The @coastguardph has responded to a fire onboard incident involving M/V General Romulo with 20 crew members onboard at the vicinity waters off Talisay City, Cebu today, 17 April 2022.https://t.co/gpuvLzircK#DOTrPH 🇵🇭#CoastGuardPH#MaritimeSectorWorks pic.twitter.com/FdqO3n2fek
— Philippine Coast Guard (@coastguardph) April 17, 2022
Additionally, BRP Malamawi (FPB-2403), Special Operation Unit (SOU)-Central Visayas, and Coast Guard Medical Central Visayas have been directed to proceed to the area for assistance, according to the coast guard.
Nineteen of 20 crew members were rescued and were brought to the shoreline for medical assistance, while the body of the last crew member is still onboard the vessel.
"The responding team was unable to rescue/retrieve him due to the magnitude of fire prevailing on the vessel," reported the Philippine Coast Guard.
