(19 Mar 1996) T/I: 10:00:30 GS 10:49:04
The Government of the Philippines has ordered an inquiry into the worst fire in the nation’s history. The blaze in a disco on Tuesday (19/3), killed at least 150 people, with scores still missing. There were about sixty survivors of the fire, which consumed the Ozone disco in Quezon City. Dozens of badly burned victims are being cared for in hospital. While the funeral parlours are choking with the charred bodies of the victims, families of the dead are having a hard time identifying their relatives, as most have been burnt beyond recognition.
Fire officers said many of those who died were trampled in the rush to get out of the burning club. Jewelry, watches, and other personal effects collected at the scene are being used by authorities to assist families in the process of identifying the fire victims. Many of the dead were teenagers holding a graduation party at the Ozone Disco in the northern suburb of Manila, Quezon City.
SHOWS:
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES, 18/3:
Charred bodies removed from Disco
Pan from firetruck with banner announcing “fire prevention week.“
Vice Mayor of Quezon City, Herbert Bautista, SOT in English: “We will conduct an investigation and we will see the verdict.“
Daylight shot of Ozone Disco
Top shot of burnt disco roof
Crowd in front of Disco
Sister in search of brother who had gone to the Ozone for his birthday celebration and is still missing, SOT in Tagalog: “My brother was celebrating his birthday with his friends in the Disco, and all his friends have been located except him.“
Ext. of funeral parlour “La Funeraria Paz“
Various charred bodies inside funeral parlour
Relatives trying to identify the charred bodies through jewelry and watches
Cu ring on finger of corpse
Cu watch on wrist of corpse
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