Philippines Ferry Fire Leaves 5 Dead and Dozens Missing
At least five people died and 86 others remain missing after a fire swept through a passenger ferry off the western Philippines, sparking an overnight rescue operation challenged by bad weather and rough seas, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
The ferry MV June Aster was carrying 134 people—including 117 passengers and 17 crew members—when the blaze broke out around 6:45 p.m. The vessel had departed from the capital, Manila, and was nearing its destination of Coron in Palawan province when the fire started.
Search and Rescue Operations Off Palawan
Coast guard personnel, a military vessel, government boats, private volunteers, and local fishermen joined forces to rescue survivors, according to the Associated Press. Rescuers pulled 43 people from the water during nighttime operations, tossing life jackets to survivors as the vessel burned in the background.
Bad weather and high waves complicated the response. The ferry was approximately 4 nautical miles (7.4 kilometers) off Coron’s village of Turda when it transmitted a distress signal, but strong sea currents subsequently dragged the stricken ship to a distance of 7.68 nautical miles (14.2 kilometers) off Turda, according to coast guard reports.
Coast guard ships and high-speed response boats continued combing the area, while authorities broadcast radio alerts to nearby vessels and coordinated with coastal villages in case any passengers drifted ashore.
Uncertainty Over Fire Origin and Safety Record
The exact cause of the disaster remains unclear. According to the Associated Press, one survivor suggested the flames may have originated in the cargo hold, though the coast guard stated it is coordinating with the shipping company and maritime authorities to investigate further. Authorities have not yet released information regarding whether any foreign nationals were on board.
Ferries serve as a vital mode of transportation across the Philippine archipelago, but the nation has a history of deadly maritime accidents driven by storms, poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding, and lax enforcement of safety regulations in remote provinces. The disaster recalls past tragedies in the island nation, including the 1987 sinking of the ferry Dona Paz after a collision with a fuel tanker in the central Philippines, which claimed more than 4,300 lives in the deadliest peacetime maritime disaster in history.
The Philippine Coast Guard stated that search and rescue operations are ongoing as teams continue to look for the 86 missing individuals.