One person was killed during a containership fire off the coast of the Philippines in mid-April after a pipe exploded on board, according to media reports and the Philippine Coast Guard.
The M/V General Romulo, which had 20 crew members onboard, experienced the fire on April 17.
“Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Talisay received information that M/V General Romulo, a container ship and domestic vessel, was caught on fire while anchored at the vicinity waters off Talisay City,” the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement. “Immediately, personnel of CGSS Talisay and Talisay City Bantay Dagat responded to the incident and conducted medical evacuation.”
In addition to the fatality, three crew were reported injured, according to the Coast Guard. The surviving crewmembers were rescued and returned to shore for medical assistance.
The containership General Romulo was built in 1997 and sails under the flag of Philippines. She has a gross tonnage of 4,028 tons and has a length of 101 meters (331 feet), an 18-meter width (59 feet) and a 19-meter (62.3 feet) beam.
She is owned by Manila-based NMC Container Lines and operated by Magsaysay Ship Management, which is also based in Manila.