Blast injures 2 divers

Salvaging operations in the sunken M/V Ocean Papa off Culasi, Antique were put on hold last Monday morning after two divers were injured in an explosion believed to have been caused by gas trapped in the vessel’s engine room, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

Lt. Senior Grade Gary Dale Gimotea, the PCG’s acting spokesman, identified the injured divers as Primitivo Morales and Rodel Lazaro, who were hired by the salvaging firm CV Gaspar Salvage Inc.

Reports said the two were conducting underwater cutting operations in the engine room, unaware of the presence of trapped gas there, when the blast occurred. – Evelyn Macairan