Fire on passenger ferry in Philippines leaves dozens missing and at leas…

Fire on passenger ferry in Philippines leaves dozens missing and at least five dead

A fire that burned overnight on a passenger ferry off the western Philippines left at least five people dead and 87 others missing Thursday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. The MV June Aster, which had sailed from Manila and was near its destination of Coron in Palawan province, caught fire around 6:45 p.m. Wednesday. Rescue operations continued into Thursday, with 42 people confirmed rescued and efforts ongoing to locate the remaining 87, though officials warned the numbers could shift as operations progress.

The ferry, which was listing but afloat after the fire was extinguished, was initially reported to be 2.2 kilometers offshore but later revised to 7.68 nautical miles (14.2 kilometers) from the village of Turda in Coron. Strong sea currents had dragged the vessel farther from shore after it sent a distress signal. Rescue teams, including coast guard ships, military vessels, and private boats, faced challenges from bad weather and large waves. Images from the scene showed coast guard personnel tossing life jackets to survivors as the ferry burned, with small boats ferrying passengers to shallow water.

Commodore Noemie Cayabyab, the coast guard spokeswoman, stated that 134 people were aboard the ferry—117 passengers and 17 crew. She noted that the cause of the fire remained under investigation, with one survivor reporting it may have originated in the cargo hold. The coast guard is coordinating with the shipping company and maritime authorities to gather more details. No information about the nationalities of those aboard was disclosed in the sources.

The fire, which engulfed the vessel in its early stages, was described as a "monster" blaze by one Irish outlet. While the coast guard confirmed the fire was extinguished by midday, search-and-rescue teams continued to scan the area for survivors. The Philippine Coast Guard made a radio broadcast to nearby ships to assist in locating passengers and coordinated with coastal villages in case some drifted ashore. Body bags were visible at a port, suggesting the scale of the tragedy.

Rescuers were using drift-modeling tools to identify areas where people may have been carried by currents, the Reuters news agency reported. The ferry was initially 4 nautical miles off Coron’s village of Turda when it sent a distress signal but was later found 7.68 nautical miles from shore. The Coast Guard said it was coordinating with a military vessel, high-speed response boats, and private volunteers and fishermen to expand search efforts.

Ferries are a common mode of transport in the Philippines, but accidents are frequent due to factors such as storms, poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding, and inconsistent safety enforcement. The 1987 sinking of the ferry Dona Paz, which killed over 4,300 people, remains the world’s deadliest peacetime maritime disaster.

Key TakeawaysAt least five people confirmed dead, 87 missing after ferry fire near Palawan, Philippines134 passengers and crew aboard MV June Aster, with 42 rescued and 87 unaccounted forFire erupted 14.2 kilometers offshore, trapping 134 aboardSearch-and-rescue operations ongoing, with challenges including weather and distance from shorePhilippine Coast Guard emphasizes live data, noting numbers may change as operations continue

DetailInformationConfirmed deadAt least fiveMissing87Rescued42Total aboard134 (117 passengers, 17 crew)Distance from shore14.2 kilometers (7.68 nautical miles)Departure portManila

Frequently Asked QuestionsHow many people are missing in the ferry fire?At least 87 people remain unaccounted for following the fire, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. This number is based on the ship’s manifest of 134 aboard and the 42 rescued, though officials note the figure may change as search-and-rescue operations continue.What is the name of the ferry involved?All sources now identify the vessel as the MV June Aster. Previous reports from a single outlet mentioned a different name, but no further clarification was provided in the updated sources.What is the current status of the fire?The fire was reported to be extinguished by midday, with the Philippine Coast Guard stating efforts to contain it were complete. No updates on the vessel’s structural integrity or ongoing risks were included in the sources.

The next critical development will be the outcome of search-and-rescue operations, particularly the ability of authorities to confirm the status of those missing. With the ferry’s location far from shore and the scale of the fire, the coming hours will determine whether additional survivors are found or if the death toll rises. The Philippine Coast Guard has not yet issued a timeline for concluding the operation, but the focus remains on locating the 87 missing individuals and providing updates as new information becomes available.