Boat captain, 3 others die of suffocation

MANILA, Philippines — Two officers and two crewmembers of a fishing boat died of suffocation as they were cleaning the storage room of their vessel that was sailing in the waters off Zamboanga City, authorities reported yesterday.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) identified the fatalities as captain Joseph Oro, 45; third officer Marjon Oro, 37, and crewmembers Charlie Caspe, 29, and Billy Lamag, 27, all of the F/B Julius 558.

The boat’s chief engineer Sonny Morales told the PCG-Southwestern Mindanao District that on Aug. 5, Oro ordered Marjun and Lamag to clean the storage room.

Morales said Marjun and Lamag used a submersible pump to remove water from the room that was filled with melting ice and rotting fish.

A few minutes later, Marjon and Lamag shouted for help as they were reportedly experiencing difficulty in breathing and dizziness.

Oro and Caspe responded, but they too suffered difficulty in breathing as soon as they entered the room.

Morales said he called for help as their four companions passed out.

Chief officer Juanito Ibañez Jr. maneuvered the boat toward the wharf in Talisayan town.

The four were immediately taken to the Zamboanga Doctors Hospital, where they were declared dead on arrival.