MANILA – Seven persons, including two senior citizens, have died on board a fast craft vessel after it caught fire off the waters of Real, Quezon on Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

In an incident report, the PCG said the MV Mercraft 2 passengers who perished include five females and two males.

They were identified as Viola Impreso, 47; Marivic Samareta, 61; Edna Balanac, 64; Mina Enciso, 57; Charito Escareces, 57; Crisanto Debelles, 51; and Andy Tejares, 54. It was not immediately clear whether the victims died from the fire or from drowning.

The vessel was carrying 126 passengers and eight crew members. Of the total rescued, 103 are in good condition and 24 suffered injuries.

The captain, John Lerry Escareces, is currently being treated at Claro M. Recto hospital.

Prior to the incident, the vessel left from Polillo Island at around 5 a.m. bound for Real, Quezon, with the fire allegedly starting in the engine room while in transit.

“The PCG received a distress call regarding the said incident at 06:30 a.m.,” the PCG said.

In response, it deployed search and rescue teams, with two RoRo vessels and four motor bancas augmenting the rescue operation.

The fire was declared under control at around 9:33 a.m. while all passengers and crew of the vessel were accounted for by 11:30 a.m.

“MV Triple Kent towed the distressed vessel to Baluti Island, Barangay Cawayan, Real, Quezon,” the PCG said.

The PCG teams did not find signs of an oil spill in the area of the incident. (PNA)