Investigators to probe EV in MV June Aster cargo hold

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One of the points of investigation in the fire that hit the ill-fated MV June Aster is the electric vehicle that was reported to be in its cargo hold when the tragedy struck.

According to Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," the cause of the maritime fire that killed 77 has yet to be determined after more than a week.

One of the survivors has said that the fire started in the ship's cargo hold, where an EV, a pick-up, a forklift, and five motorcycles were.

“Sa ngayon, sir, ang talagang magiging approach diyan ay evidence-based... Kasama na diyan ang mga manifesto at saka 'yung, halimbawa, 'yung status ng engine, kasi engine din kasi ay source of heat din... This will be corroborated, of course, sa mga testimonya rin ng eyewitnesses natin,” said Fire Supt. Anthony Arroyo, the chief of the BFP’s Public Information Office.

(For now, sir, our approach is really evidence-based… this includes the manifest and, for example, the status of the engine, because the engine is also a source of heat… this will be corroborated, of course, by the testimony of our eyewitnesses.)

The BFP said that EVs were still generally safe, with many of them already being delivered through ships. However, they urged EV users to make sure that their vehicles are safely and properly charged.

An EV’s battery can heat up, causing a “thermal runaway”, according to the BFP.

"Self-accelerating na chain reaction kung saan may increase ng temperature sa loob ng battery pack at nagkakaroon ng chemical or electrical changes na nagpo-produce ng matinding init…Within seconds lang ay nagkakaroon ng matinding emisyon ng usok o 'di kaya sunog. Kung minsan, explosion pa or severe destruction,” Arroyo said.

(The chain reaction is self-accelerating, where there is an increase in temperature inside the battery pack, and then there are chemical or electrical charges that produce extreme heat… within seconds there can be a strong emission of smoke or fire. Sometimes, an explosion or severe destruction.)

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is also investigating the matter. Several shipping lines have already banned EVs aboard their ship.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said in a previous interview that one of the surviving crew pinpointed that the fire started in the cargo hold. The ship’s cargo included one EV.

Authorities are still working to siphon the water out of the engine room. They are also working to get to the cargo deck where the supposed EV is located, according to Cayabyab. –NB, GMA News