Death scene moves rescuers to tears

What’s left of it: The remains of the ‘MV Lady Mary Joy 3’ is seen in Basilan, southern Philippines. — AP

A coast guard commander said that the tragic scenes of death his team saw aboard a gutted ferry, including bodies of adults clutching children, had moved them to tears and sparked fears other passengers could be found dead in the still-smoldering ship.

At least 29 of more than 250 people onboard the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 were killed in the blaze that raged through the ferry on Wednesday while it was on an overnight trip from the southern Zamboanga city to Jolo town in Sulu province.