BRP Ramon Alcaraz catches fire in Indian Ocean

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine cutter, BRP Ramon Alcaraz, caught fire in the Indian Ocean on Thursday evening when it was en route to Manila after a mission in Oman.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Saturday the Alcaraz had to return to Cochin in southwest India where it made a port call after picking up 19 overseas Filipino workers and a donation of 200,000 face masks in Oman.

The Alcaraz sustained minor damage but two crewmen were injured in the fire. The rest of the 100 crew were unharmed and the ship would be repaired in India, Lorenzana added.

—MELVIN GASCON