Tuesday, January 16, 2007 3 hurt in oil tanker explosion
AN OIL tanker docked at the Pasig River in Binondo, Manila exploded on Monday morning, seriously injuring at least three persons including a woman.
The victims were identified as Delio Rangalan, 26; John Mar Cornico; both tanker crews and Belinda dela Cruz. They were rushed to Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center due to the serious burns they sustained.
Two other victims who were slightly injured in the explosion have decided to withhold their names or not to go to the hospital for treatment.
In an initial investigation conducted by Senior Superintendent Pablito Cordeta, Manila Fire Marshal, the blast was triggered by a spark from the blower of the tanker, mt Hagonoy, which was docked at the Pasig River in Parola, Binondo.
The site of the accident was just a short distance from the Philippine Coast Guard outpost on San Miguel Street, also in Parola.
The incident occurred at about 8:40 a.m. on Monday when the tanker, with 497 gross tonnage, exploded and triggered a fire that was quickly put out.
Cordeta however was quick to say that the explosion was not a terror attack.
Cordeta said they are now investigating why the explosion took place even when the tanker had already unloaded its cargo of 1.1 million liters of gasoline. (ECV/Sunnex)
