MANILA, Philippines – A car carrier ship was abandoned near Recto Bank (Reed Bank) in the West Philippine Sea after catching fire, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced on Monday, June 17.

According to PCG Spokesman Captain Armand Balilo, foreign counterparts sent them an alert that a certain M/V Diamond Highway operated by K-line was “on fire and drifting somewhere in the Philippines.”

The fire was first reported, Balilo said, at around 11:30 pm on Sunday, June 16.

Balilo said the ship came from Singapore and was bound for Batangas before it was hit with the blaze.

The ship had 25 crew members who abandoned ship after rescued came with the arrival of Bulk Carrier Canupos Leader, which was on its way to Thailand.

According to Balilo, the car carrier was still on fire as of 1:40 pm, and the Philippines’ BRP Cabra is preparing to put out the blaze.

The PCG and its counterparts have yet to determine the cause of the flames. – Rappler.com