Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Philippine ferry catches fire at sea, all 120 people aboard rescued
In this handout photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, the coast guard personnel assist in putting out the fire on Philippine ferry M/V Esperanza Star at the waters off Panglao, Bohol province, central Philippines on Sunday, June 18, 2023. The Philippine ferry carrying up to 65 passengers and crew members caught fire at sea on Sunday and a coast guard vessel was deployed to rescue those onboard and try to extinguish the flames, coast guard officials said. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)
Latest News
June 18, 2023

Philippine ferry catches fire at sea, all 120 people aboard rescued

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — All 120 passengers and crew members aboard a Philippine ferry that caught fire at sea on Sunday were rescued safely and the fire was extinguished, the coast guard said.

The M/V Esperanza Star caught fire at dawn while traveling from Siquijor province to Bohol province in the central Philippines with 65 passengers and 55 crewmembers, the coast guard said. It added that it deployed two vessels for rescue and to help put out the flames, which raged for more than five hours.

Photos and video released by the coast guard show flames and black smoke billowing from two decks at one end of the ferry. Coast guard personnel onboard another vessel used a water cannon to put out the fire while a fishing boat and one other vessel can be seen nearby.

“All those who were onboard the ferry are safe,” Joy Gumatay, coast guard spokeswoman, said in a statement but gave no further details.

She added that the survivors were brought to the port city of Tagbilaran in Bohol province and an investigation was underway.

Sea accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago because of frequent storms, poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding and spotty enforcement of safety regulations, especially in remote provinces.

In March, a fire broke out — and raged overnight — on a ferry carrying about 250 people and killed at least 31 passengers and crew members off the southern island province of Basilan, the coast guard said.

In December 1987, the ferry Dona Paz sank after colliding with a fuel tanker, killing more than 4,300 people in the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Uganda’s ‘cricket grannies’ fight lifestyle diseases with sport
Health & Fitness, Latest News
Uganda’s ‘cricket grannies’ fight lifestyle diseases with sport
March 20, 2026
JINJA, Uganda (AFP) — Giggles and songs ripple across a field in rural eastern Uganda where elderly women swing cricket bats as a way to reshape what ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
US jury finds Elon Musk misled Twitter shareholders
International News, Latest News
US jury finds Elon Musk misled Twitter shareholders
March 20, 2026
SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) —  A federal jury in California found Friday that tech titan Elon Musk misled Twitter shareholders in an effort to ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
MFS Capital moves to acquire Century Business Machines in expansion push
Business, Latest News
MFS Capital moves to acquire Century Business Machines in expansion push
March 20, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — MFS Capital Partners Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to acquire a 100 per cent stake in Century Business Ma...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Four JUTC drivers charged in bus ticket scam
Latest News, News
Four JUTC drivers charged in bus ticket scam
March 20, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Four drivers employed by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) have been arrested and charged in relation to a ticket scam in w...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
10 arrested, over $9m in cocaine seized in week-long anti-trafficking operations
Latest News, News
10 arrested, over $9m in cocaine seized in week-long anti-trafficking operations
March 20, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) says it has captured 10 people and seized over $9 million worth of cocain...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Trump says US considering ‘winding down’ military operations in Iran
International News, Latest News
Trump says US considering ‘winding down’ military operations in Iran
March 20, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — United States (US) President Donald Trump said Friday he was considering "winding down" military operations against ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Toronto mayor seeks to block US immigration agents at city’s World Cup matches
International News, Latest News, Sports
Toronto mayor seeks to block US immigration agents at city’s World Cup matches
March 20, 2026
TORONTO, Canada (AFP) — Toronto's mayor moved Friday to ban United States (US) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from the Canadian city...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Forex: $158.71 to one US dollar
Latest News, News
Forex: $158.71 to one US dollar
March 20, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) dollar on Friday, March 20, ended trading at $158.71, up by six cents, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s d...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct