Death Scene in Burned Ferry Moves Filipino Rescuers to Tears

Death Scene in Burned Ferry Moves Filipino Rescuers to Tears
The remains of the MV Lady Mary Joy in Basilan, southern Philippines, on March 30, 2023. Philippine Ports Authority Zamboanga via AP
The Associated Press
Updated:

MANILA, Philippines—A Philippine coast guard commander said Friday that the tragic scenes of death his team saw aboard a gutted ferry, including bodies of adults clutching children, had moved them to tears and sparked fears other passengers could be found dead in the still-smoldering ship.

At least 29 of more than 250 people onboard the M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 were killed in the blaze that raged through the ferry Wednesday while it was on an overnight trip from the southern Zamboanga city to Jolo town in Sulu province. At least seven passengers, including two army soldiers, remained missing in the country’s deadliest sea disaster this year, the coast guard said.