An explosion and subsequent fire aboard a wooden fishing boat off the coast of Naga City, Cebu Province in the Philippines killed six Filipino crew members. Six other crew members were rescued amidst the nighttime chaos with one in critical condition, the Philippine Coast Guard reported Thursday.

The incident occurred on the F/B King Bryan on June 5, approximately five miles from Naga City. Survivors, including the boat’s skipper, are currently receiving medical treatment and are too traumatized to provide details on the cause of the explosion. One crew member remains in critical condition.

The wooden-hulled vessel, equipped with bamboo outriggers, had reportedly experienced engine trouble before the explosion, which engulfed the boat in flames. The crew was forced to leap into the sea desperately for survival. A passing tugboat helped to extinguish the fire while the Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation.

Video footage and images released by the Coast Guard depict the boat engulfed in flames and smoke as rescuers scoured the waters in the darkness. Coast guard personnel are seen carrying injured crew members with burn injuries to safety.

The F/B King Bryan’s tragedy is a stark reminder of the frequent sea accidents in the Philippines, an archipelago prone to such disasters due to severe weather, poorly maintained boats, overcrowding, and inconsistent enforcement of safety regulations. In December 1987, the overcrowded ferry Dona Paz sank after colliding with a fuel tanker, resulting in over 4,300 deaths in what is considered the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster.

The Coast Guard continues investigating the exact cause of the explosion and fire on the F/B King Bryan. The maritime industry in the Philippines faces ongoing challenges in improving safety standards to prevent such incidents.