Two killed in tanker fire in Batangas, Philippines

Two people were killed after an oil tanker caught fire in the waters off Batangas province, Philippines, on Sunday, October 22.

The incident occurred shortly after 09:00 local time on Sunday when a blaze ignited on the oil tanker Sea Horse while it was anchored one nautical mile from the Port of Batangas.

Search and rescue (SAR) personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard and the crews of some Good Samaritan fishing vessels and tugs subsequently sailed to the area to conduct firefighting operations and locate any survivors.

Officials said the fire was fully extinguished by 11:00. Tragically, however, SAR teams also recovered the bodies of two crewmen who perished as a result of the incident.

Initial reports said the body of one deceased victim was pulled out of the surrounding waters while the body of the second victim was found on board the tanker near the bow.

One survivor has since been brought to hospital to undergo treatment for severe burn injuries.

The coast guard and the Philippine National Police have launched an investigation into the incident.