2 Filipino seafarers hurt in ship fire in United Arab Emirates

Two Filipino seamen were injured after their ship caught fire five miles off Khor Fakkan port in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last Wednesday.

UAE-based Khaleej Times reported Friday the two Filipinos were among four crewmen injured in the incident.

A Greek crewman died while an engineer from Ghana and a Sri Lankan national were also injured in the incident, the report said.

The Khaleej Times report quoted a Sharjah police officer as saying fire broke out in the engine of the Liberian-flagged ship, which was being used as a bunker to refuel other ships.

“Apart from the Greek, four others suffered serious burns," the officer said.

He added the Greek man likely died after inhaling smoke that billowed out into the sky after the engine caught fire.

The four other crew members were immediately taken to a Fujairah hospital with one of the survivors discharged the same day.

Investigators are working with Sharjah Ports Authorities to find out what caused the fire. The injured crew members will be questioned after they recover.