Death toll from Basilan ferry fire rises to 32

MANILA, Philippines — The death toll from the M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 ferry fire rose to 32 with the discovery of a floating cadaver in Basilan province on Easter Sunday morning, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Information released by the PCG showed that the fatality, identified as Alses Hassan, was reportedly sighted by a concerned citizen floating in the waters of Langgas Island in Maluso, Basilan.

The PCG said Hassan was one of two missing passengers of the ill-fated roll-on and roll-off vessel.

The PCG gave assurance that they are continuing search operations for the last missing passenger of the Lady Mary Joy 3 that caught fire while sailing off Baluk-Baluk Island in Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan late in the evening of March 29.

Coast Guard personnel have turned over the body of Hassan to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Maluso for proper disposition.

As of yesterday, PCG data showed that there were 216 survivors and 32 deaths from the fire incident.

Of the 32 deaths, 15 were recovered at sea and 17 recovered on board the vessel.

At the time of the incident, the PCG said there were a total of 249 people on board that consisted of 205 passengers including 20 Army personnel, 35 crew, four Coast Guard and five Army personnel.