Fire at sea kills one Filipino seafarer

 

Dubai, UAE – A Filipino seafarer  died while two of his companions, one Filipino, one Indian national,  were  injured  when a fire broke off inside a tugboat  near the Fujairah eastern seaboard of the United Arab Emirates, Friday, February 23, 2018.

The tugboat was approximately 70 nautical miles away from the Straits of Hormuz.

The tugboat was carrying eight people, six Filipinos and two Indian nationals,  was on anchorage when the incident happened.

Crew members revealed they heard a loud explosion, then the fire set off. Local authorities are still investigating the incident.

As of February 28, the  remains of the still unnamed Filipino fatality was still at the mortuary of the Fujairah Hospital.

The other  injured Filipino crew   suffered burns on his back, his right arm and leg,  is still recuperating in the same hospital. The  Indian crew  is still in the intensive care unit.

Philippine Labor Attache Felicitas Bay  who contacted  the Filipino crew at the hospital told Newsline.ph  “The Seafarer  was  still a bit groggy and obviously still in a state of shock, but he told me they heard an explosion before the boat went up in flames,” Philippine Labor Attache Felicitas Bay told NewsLine.ph.

“I immediately sent Welfare Officer Danilo Flores to Fujairah and filed a report about the incident and submitted it the office of the Consul General,” she added.

Meanwhile, the  Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and Northern Emirates, refused to release any information  citing the need to get the complete details from from Fujairah authorities.

The identities of the  fatality and those hospitalized are also  withheld as the Philippine consulate contacts the  family members.

The Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Dubai and the Northern Emirates is currently verifying the status of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) membership of the victims for the processing of their benefits and financial assistance.-Henri Abenis-Macahilo/Newsline.ph