2 dead in Ormoc pier blast

Two crewmen were killed and four marine engineers were injured yesterday aboard a passenger ship docked at the Ormoc City pier in Leyte when the engine room of the ship exploded.

Assistant engineer Benjie Alcala and oiler Lope Tumanda died of head injuries and a gaping stomach wound, respectively. The engine room of Sulpicio Lines’ M/V Tacloban Princess was rocked by a violent explosion at 11:10 a.m., killing the two crewmen and inflicting third-degree burns on chief engineer Edgar Villagonzalo, second engineer Charlton Ragadio, third engineer Rey Gardoce and assistant engineer Jun Areola.

The injured sailors are being treated at the Ormoc Sugar Planters Association Hospital.

The explosion reportedly caused a fire that raged for 25 minutes before it was put out. Damage to the ship could not immediately be determined.

Initial reports reaching the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) headquarters in Manila showed the ship had just arrived at the pier for repairs of its auxiliary engine when the explosion occurred. The ship had no passengers at the time.

PCG spokesman Lt. Armand Balilo said the explosion came as workers were opening a pressure tank in the engine room located at the bottom of the ship’s hull.

It could not be immediately determined if the engine itself or any other machinery being repaired had exploded. The PCG has begun investigating the incident.