A fire on the tanker Gindara on October 1, 2026, at the port of Calaca, south of Manila, sent two sailors to the hospital. The tanker, which was alongside the Balayan plant, caught fire, which officials say likely started from the engine room.
Details of the incident and actions taken
According to reports, at the time of the fire, 22 sailors were on board the ship. Philippine Coast Guard officials stated that of this number, 20 individuals escaped without issue and were transferred to a safe location. The two injured sailors were taken to local hospitals, and information about their condition is not available.
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Firefighting efforts and future investigations
The Philippine Coast Guard dispatched the multi-purpose vessel BRP Malapascua to the scene to combat the fire. On October 1, the Coast Guard reported that no flames were visible on the bridge or structure of the ship, but smoke continued to billow from it. There are still no signs of the cause of the fire, and the Coast Guard has planned to conduct a thorough investigation after the firefighting operations are completed.
This incident has raised concerns about the safety of tankers and sailors in Philippine waters. In recent years, fires and similar incidents in the shipping industry in the region have become a challenge. Officials and experts hope that with more thorough investigations, they can provide more effective solutions to prevent such incidents in the future.
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