At least five people have died and 87 others remain missing following a major fire that engulfed a passenger ferry near the coast of Palawan in the Philippines. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when the vessel, identified as the
The
Ongoing Search and Rescue Operations
According to Coast Guard Captain Noemi Cayabyab, the ship’s official manifest recorded a total of 134 individuals on board, consisting of both passengers and crew. While 42 people have been successfully rescued—comprising 38 passengers and four crew members—the status of the 87 missing individuals remains unknown. Captain Cayabyab cautioned that these figures are based on preliminary data and are subject to change as the search operation progresses.
Authorities have faced challenges in gathering immediate information regarding the circumstances of the fire, as officials have not yet been able to interview the survivors. Visual evidence released by the coast guard via social media depicted the vessel completely consumed by flames while still at sea. Efforts to extinguish the fire and secure the wreckage are reportedly ongoing.
Vessel Details and Investigation
The M/V June Aster had departed from Manila prior to the incident. MarineTraffic tracking data confirmed the vessel's departure point, though the specific cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Coast guard officials have indicated that the priority remains the search and rescue efforts, with further details expected to emerge as the investigation into the disaster continues.
