Additional Coverage:
Fire Erupts on Philippine Ferry Near Palawan, Leaving Several Dead and Scores Missing
MANILA – A passenger ferry caught fire off the coast of Palawan province in the western Philippines on Wednesday evening, resulting in at least five confirmed deaths and dozens of people unaccounted for, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
The MV June Aster had departed from Manila and was nearing the town of Coron when the blaze broke out around 6:45 p.m. local time. Rescue operations have so far brought 42 survivors to safety, but officials report that 87 individuals remain missing amid ongoing search efforts.
Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab provided details during a radio interview, stating that a total of 134 people were aboard the vessel-117 passengers and 17 crew members. The ferry initially sent a distress signal approximately 4 nautical miles from the village of Turda; however, strong currents pushed the burning ship nearly double that distance away, complicating rescue efforts.
Images from the scene showed the ferry engulfed in flames, with responders distributing life jackets and ferrying survivors to smaller boats. Rescue teams also prepared body bags at a nearby port to recover victims. Challenging weather conditions, including rough seas and high waves, further hindered the operation.
Officials have yet to determine the cause of the fire, with investigations underway in cooperation with the ferry operator and maritime authorities. There is no current indication of foreign nationals aboard.
Ferries are a vital mode of transportation across the Philippine archipelago, but the industry has faced persistent safety challenges. Overcrowding, poorly maintained vessels, and inconsistent enforcement of regulations have contributed to a history of maritime accidents. One of the country’s darkest tragedies was the 1987 sinking of the ferry Doña Paz after a collision with a fuel tanker, which claimed over 4,300 lives in the deadliest peacetime maritime disaster on record.