PCG Dapitan City cannot determine the exact number of missing passengers from Lite Ferry 16, which met a fire incident at Tag-ulo Point, Dapitan City, on August 28, 2019.
As for the latest data gathered from the Philippine Coast guard, 28 vehicles were at the cargo area of the ferry where more than half of it caught fire. 245 passengers were rescued, where 3 and injured, and 3 casualties, identified as Chloe Labisig, 1yr and 7 months old, Danilo Gomez, 60 years old, and Rolando Heneral, 55 yo who was found at Selinog Island.
PCG disclosed that there were only 136 passengers on the manifesto, reason why there has been no determined number of missing person brought by the incident, but the rescue operations is still on going until they clear the seas of Tag-ulo Point in Dapitan City.
There hasn’t been an official statement issued by the company, Lite Shipping Inc., about the incident, but upon the initial investigation done by the BFP and PCG, the fire incident started with an engine failure.
Further information released that the company claimed there was no overloading since their Certificate of Capacity allows the ferry to load up to 317 passengers all in all, wherein 280 for passenger capacity, and 37 crew members.
Survivors were given first aid assistance from the vessels which first rescued them; FastCat, MV Danica Joy, and Lilia Cargo. They were brought to Pulauan Port in Dapitan City for further medical assistance, meals, and debriefing.
Lite Shipping Inc., shouldered the survivors’ accommodation in 2 hotels in the City of Dipolog. Ceres Liners assisted their passengers with free fare passes to travel to their respected location.
According to the survivors, they were told to be given a 10,000 Php financial assistance but no further notice when this will be given, including the belonging left inside Lite Ferry 16.
Crew members did not give further information regarding the incident, since they consider themselves as survivors as well, and asked to wait for the company’s official statement.