The management of the passenger ferry that caught fire off Basilan Wednesday has begun extending financial assistance to the families of the fatalities and the injured and apologized for the mishap that killed 29 people and hurt dozens others.
At least 31 persons died and 230 others were rescued after a fire engulfed the ferry M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan province late Wednesday night, authorities said yesterday.