Teener killed in Navotas fishing boat blast

MANILA, Philippines - A 17-year-old boy was killed while six others were injured when a fishing boat exploded while being repaired at the Navotas City Fish Port Complex yesterday morning.

Manila Coast Guard commander Gregorio Adel identified the fatality as Janjan Gallego, a resident of Navotas City.

Ronald Delosilo, 24, David Labonete, 19,Marvin Reyes, 22, Danilo Medina, 42, Jomar Belosilo, 29, and another unidentified victim suffered burns. They were rushed to the Tondo Medical Center but transferred to the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

Adel said MB Althea , a boat used to transport fish from big fishing vessels to the fishport, was docked at Pier 3 when it exploded at around 6:20 a.m.

“Reports reaching our office showed that the boat was undergoing maintenance when it exploded. Maybe their fuel stock caught up the engine’s spark that resulted in the blast,” he said. – Pete Laude, Jerry Botial