At least five people were killed, and 87 remain missing after a fire engulfed the M/V June Aster ferry near the tourist hotspot of Palawan province, the Philippine Coast Guard said Thursday.
The blaze broke out Wednesday evening about 2.2 km offshore, leaving the vessel completely consumed by flames, as seen in coast guard footage shared online.
Captain Noemi Cayabyab confirmed that 42 individuals have been rescued so far, including 38 passengers and four crew members, while five casualties have been brought ashore. “Based on the data we have right now, 87 people are unaccounted for. This is live data and may change as search and rescue operations continue,” she told local radio.
The ferry’s manifest listed 134 passengers and crew. Authorities said attempts to extinguish the fire are ongoing, and investigators are working to gather information from survivors. Tracking data showed the June Aster had departed from Manila before the incident.
The tragedy has raised fresh concerns over maritime safety in the Philippines, where ferry accidents are frequent due to overcrowding and fire hazards.
