Three crewmembers on the bulk carrier, the Blue Cecil, were found dead in the cargo hold. The hypothesis is toxic fume poisoning.
The three sailors were found unconscious by the ship’s captain, Arthur Corpuz, who apparently provided emergency medical assistance in an attempt to save them. The seafarers were later pronounced dead, two hours after being found.
At the time of the accident, the vessel, flying the Marshall Islands flag, was northwest of Bolinao, Pangasinan, sailing from Portland, USA, towards Singapore.
The bulker, which was carrying metal cargo, apparently had an improper waste management plan. The Coastguard had the Blue Cecil dock off Manila while the company organized the disembarkation of the bodies.
Translation by Giles Foster