Still no justice for ‘Maria Carmela’ fire victims

The fire was swift, the death toll high, and the incident a shock. But justice will be less definitive even a year after.

The MV Maria Carmela tragedy that killed 44 people and left 29 others missing to this day marks its first anniversary today with no criminal, civil or administrative cases being filed against those responsible for the midsea fire off the Batangas port.

"There is no resolution yet. (The case) is pending with the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications)," Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) administrator Oscar Sevilla told The STAR.

Marina has the responsibility of carrying out whatever the DOTC will impose as penalty based on the recommendations of the Board of Marine Inquiry which investigated the incident.

The MV Maria Carmela caught fire while approaching the Batangas port after an overnight journey from Masbate with some 346 passengers and crewmembers on board. The Batangas-based Montenegro Shipping Lines owned the vessel.

The fatalities either drowned or were burned to death while trapped in the ship.

Earlier, Marina had ordered the blacklisting of the insurance company of the Montenegro Shipping Lines for reportedly failing to compensate the victims and their families despite repeated demands.

To this day, Sevilla said many of the victims have yet to receive compensation.

During the investigation, witnesses said the fire started from a large copra shipment on board the ship, but the probe panel could not fully explain how it ignited.

The panel recommended, among other measures, the retraining of Montenegro crewmen, saying many of them flunked the surprise test given them immediately after the accident.