A Filipino seafarer from Iloilo was among the three killed aboard a Malta-flagged container vessel docked at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Johor, Malaysia on 7 November.
According to radio reports, the victim was identified as a 38-year-old resident of Barangay Bitoon, Jaro, Iloilo City. His relatives reached out to Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda, who coordinated with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
International reports indicated that the incident happened when smoke was detected in the under-hatch section of the Kyparissia, a container ship built in 2014 and chartered to Maersk.
The fire was detected after the ship departed for Lomé, Togo, but returned to port upon discovery. While some cargo was being unloaded, an explosion occurred, killing two others: a Malaysian and a British national, along with the Filipino.
The Marine Department of Malaysia said that among those injured were two Filipinos in their 40s and a 26-year-old Malaysian.
The DMW and OWWA have yet to issue a statement as of press time regarding the incident and the condition of affected Filipinos.