By Liza Jocson
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Four crew members of a fishing boat owned by a major canning factory died of suffocation on board their vessel on Thursday, June 11.
Three of the fatalities were identified as Ranillo Sanugal Jr., 27; John Edgar Dotillos, 22; and Arnold Bongcawel. The fourth victim has yet to be identified.
Authorities said the victims were working inside the storage hold when they lost consciousness.
Responders rushed them to a hospital, where they were declared dead.
Investigators are looking into a possible buildup of hazardous gases and a lack of oxygen within the confined space of the ship’s hold as the likely causes of their deaths.
The canning factory has yet to release a statement regarding the incident.
