At least five people have died after a passenger ferry caught fire off the coast of Palawan in the Philippines, with dozens of passengers and crew members still unaccounted for as rescue teams continue searching the surrounding waters.
The blaze broke out on the M/V June Aster on Wednesday, September 9, while the vessel was travelling from Manila to Coron. The Philippine Coast Guard said 42 people had been rescued, while 87 remained unaccounted for in the latest figures available.
The ferry was carrying 134 people, comprising 117 passengers and 17 crew members, when the fire erupted about 2.2 kilometres from the coast near Coron.
Authorities warned that the figures could change as rescuers identify more survivors and officials reconcile the passenger and crew manifest.
The fire reportedly spread rapidly across the vessel, sending thick smoke into the air and forcing passengers to make desperate attempts to escape.
Some passengers jumped into the sea as flames engulfed parts of the ferry. Local fishermen and crews aboard nearby vessels responded to the emergency and helped pull people from the water.
The Philippine Coast Guard also deployed rescue personnel and vessels to assist with the evacuation and transport survivors to safety.
The immediate priority remained locating people who may have escaped the burning ferry but were unable to reach nearby vessels.
Rescue teams faced challenging conditions as the search continued on Thursday.
Strong currents and high waves made it more difficult for rescuers to operate safely, while thick smoke reduced visibility around the vessel and surrounding waters.
The Coast Guard coordinated with the military, local authorities, fishermen and other vessels in the area as teams searched for missing passengers.
Survivors were also being interviewed to help authorities establish what happened and determine whether everyone listed on the ferry’s manifest had been accounted for.
Authorities have begun investigating the cause of the Philippines ferry fire.
Some survivors reportedly said they heard a loud explosion shortly before the flames spread. Initial reports also suggested the fire may have started near the vessel’s cargo area.
However, investigators have not confirmed the cause of the blaze.
The investigation is expected to examine the vessel, its cargo and safety records, while officials speak with survivors and crew members to reconstruct the events leading up to the fire.
Authorities are expected to provide additional information as the investigation continues.
The incident has renewed attention on ferry safety in the Philippines, where sea transport is essential for connecting communities across the country’s thousands of islands.
Ferries carry large numbers of passengers between major cities, islands and tourist destinations, making maritime safety a critical public concern.
The M/V June Aster was carrying passengers towards Coron, one of Palawan’s major tourist destinations, when the disaster occurred.
For now, rescue teams remain focused on locating those still missing and recovering victims, while authorities work to establish the final number of survivors and casualties.
Families of passengers continue to wait for information about their loved ones as the search operation continues off the coast of Palawan.
Authorities have urged the public to rely on official updates while the rescue and investigation efforts remain ongoing.
