ANOTHER FATALITY. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel recover the remains of another ferry fire victim near Langgas Island, Maluso, Basilan on Sunday (April 9, 2023). The body was identified as that of Alses Hassan, who was among the missing passengers of the ill-fated M/V Lady Mary Joy 3. (Photo courtesy of Ronda del Basilan)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Another body of a Basilan ferry fire victim was fished out from the sea, bringing the official death toll to 32, an official said Monday.
Nixon Alonzo, Basilan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief, said the remains of Alses Hassan were recovered by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel on Sunday based on information from a concerned citizen near Langgas Island in Maluso town.
Alonzo said that Hassan was among the missing passengers of the ill-fated M/V Lady Mary Joy 3.
He said the PCG personnel turned over the cadaver of Hassan to the Maluso Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for proper disposition.
“The PCG continues its SAR (Search and Retrieval) operation to look for the last missing passenger of the ill-fated vessel,” Alonzo said.
With the recovery of Hassan’s remains, the number of missing passengers was brought down to 19.
The PCG recorded 216 survivors and 32 deaths—15 recovered at sea and 17 recovered on board the vessel.
The M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 caught fire at about 11:30 p.m. on March 29 near Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan while sailing to Sulu from Zamboanga City. (PNA)
