3 Die, 2000 Residents Evacuated Due to Fumes from Barge in Batangas

At least three workers were killed while three others were hospitalized and some 2,000 residents evacuated due to a chemical leak from a barge docked at a wharf in Batangas.

Batangas provincial police Chief Senior Superintendent Albert Supapo said the leak occurred at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday while the barge was docked in Sta. Maria village in Bauan town.

According to him, those who died from suffocation were not immediately identified, even as three others were rushed to a nearby hospital.

Supapo said 400 families or 2,000 residents near the wharf were evacuated to a nearby school.

“Kagabi di pa makalapit, napakabagsik ng amoy (No one could get near the barge up to now. The stench was so strong)," he said.

He said they are trying to invite the owner of the barge to shed light on the incident, and coordinating with the Philippine Coast Guard to investigate the matter.

A separate report on dwIZ radio said a team from the Philippine National Red Cross was on its way to Bauan town to help affected residents.

Classes in the area were suspended Wednesday due to the leak, the dwIZ report added.