The number of people affected in the ammonia leak at the port of General Santos City has climbed to more than 600, a radio dzMM report said Friday.

The radio report said that according to the city disaster coordinating council a total of 332 fishport workers and residents of Barangay Tambler have been brought to hospital due to burned skins and nausea on Friday.

The report said 296 others have been initially affected when the ammonia tank of fishing vessel VJ86 owned by PSJ Fishing Company leaked blew up Thursday afternoon.

Among the victims of the ammonia tank blast was two-year-old PJ Larin and 72-year-old Narcisa dela Cerna, the report said.

Senior Inspector Samuel Cadungon, commander of the police precinct near the port, said the blast took place around 2 p.m.

Cadungon said five crew members, two of whom identified as Jacob Uton and Christian de los Santos, were in critical condition after being directly hit by the blast.

“We thought it was the end of the world,” said local resident Lydia Escoba, who was near the vessel when its tank exploded. She said everybody ran to the streets to try to catch fresh air.

Cadungon said police have yet to determine the cause of the blast. He said there is a possibility that the ammonia tank blew up because it was already old and rusty.

Elements of the police's Maritime Group and Regional Mobile Group, meanwhile, have been dispatched to secure the area.

Affected residents, meanwhile, said the vessel owner should be liable for the incident.

“The fishing company should answer to what happened to us,” said Ancelma Singson. With a report from Anne Santos, ABS-CBN General Santos City