Explosion and fire on cargo vessel hurts six in Philippines

MANILA. June 12 (dpa): An explosion ripped through a cargo vessel docked at a port in the Philippine capital Manila, triggering a fire and injuring at least six people, the coastguard said.

Two crew members of the MV Titan 8 were still missing and rescuers were searching for them, the coastguard said.

The ship was refuelling at the Delpan Pier in Manila City when a loud explosion occurred, causing the fire.

Some crew members jumped off the ship following the explosion. Four crew members of the Titan 8 were injured, while two crew members from a ship moored nearby were also hurt, the coastguard said.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said the blaze spread to a nearby slum area, where about 40 shanty houses were razed. Hundreds of residents were evacuated as firefighters put out the fire.

The cause of the explosion was not yet known.

The coastguard said it has dispatched rescue divers, as well as deploying booms to control any oil spill from the vessel. - dpa