MV Filipinas Dinagat catches fire off Cebu; 47 crew rescued

The MV Filipinas Dinagat, owned by Cokaliong Shipping Lines, caught fire in the waters east of Binungcalan in Cebu City on Thursday evening.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed the incident and reported that its vessel, BRP Suluan, responded immediately.

Initially reported to have 41 passengers and 4 crew members, the ship was later clarified by the company to have had no passengers aboard during the incident.

The captain and all 47 crew members were rescued by the PCG and brought to Danao Port for medical assistance.

The MV Filipinas Dinagat caught fire around 10:45 p.m. hours after departing Cebu City.

As of Friday morning, the MV Filipinas Dinagat was still on fire, and the BRP Suluan continued to monitor the situation.

Cokaliong Shipping Lines estimated huge damage to the vessel, noting a brand-new engine and ongoing renovations were affected, along with some cargoes.

This is the first fire incident recorded by the company in its 30 years of operation, and an investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.