A massive search and rescue operation is currently underway following a devastating fire aboard a ferry, with authorities confirming that 87 people remain unaccounted for as of Thursday morning.
Captain Noemi Cayabyab of the Coast Guard issued a stern update regarding the unfolding maritime disaster, emphasizing that the casualty figures remain fluid. Speaking to a local radio station, Cayabyab explained that while 87 individuals are currently listed as missing, the number is subject to change as emergency responders continue to scour the area and cross-reference passenger manifests with the survivors brought to safety.
According to official data, the vessel was carrying a total of 134 passengers and crew members when the blaze broke out. Emergency teams have successfully recovered 42 people from the water or the stricken vessel, consisting of 38 passengers and four crew members.
“Just to make it clear, this is live data and may change as our search and rescue operations are ongoing,” Captain Cayabyab stated.
The chaos following the fire has significantly hindered the initial stages of the investigation. Officials reported that they have yet to conduct formal interviews with the rescued individuals, meaning that the official manifest may not accurately reflect the true number of people on board at the time of the incident—a common complication in maritime disasters where unofficial passengers may not be recorded on initial lists.
“We have not yet been able to obtain information from the rescued individuals because we have not been able to speak with them,” Cayabyab added, noting that the priority remains the preservation of life and the transport of survivors to medical facilities.
As the search operation intensifies, specialized maritime rescue teams are facing challenging conditions. Aircraft and multiple patrol vessels have been deployed to the site of the incident, sweeping the surrounding waters in hopes of locating survivors who may have drifted from the ferry.
Distraught families have begun gathering at nearby ports, seeking news of their loved ones. Local authorities have established a command center to manage the influx of information and provide updates to the public as the search progresses.
The ferry’s operator has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the potential cause of the fire. As the situation remains critical, the Coast Guard has urged the public to rely only on official updates, warning that the dynamic nature of the search could lead to fluctuations in the number of missing and rescued throughout the day.
For now, the focus remains on the survival of the missing, with the window for rescue narrowing as the hours pass since the vessel first caught fire. Investigations into the cause of the disaster are expected to commence once the search and rescue phase is concluded.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
