A fire broke out on the passenger ferry MV June Aster as it neared Coron, a popular tourist destination on the island of Palawan, killing at least five people and leaving more than 80 passengers missing, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
Incident and Immediate Impact
The vessel was on a scheduled trip from Manila to Coron when flames engulfed the deck shortly before it reached the harbor. The coast guard, which confirmed the death toll, said the ferry was carrying 134 passengers and crew members at the time of the incident. Early rescue efforts rescued 43 people from the water, while five bodies were recovered from the wreckage.
BBC News reported that the fire erupted “as the vessel was nearing its destination at the tourist hotspot of Coron.” The Guardian and Reuters both noted that the blaze forced the ship to list before it sank, complicating the rescue operation.
“Five people have been confirmed dead and we are still searching for the missing,” the Philippine Coast Guard said, according to the BBC.
Rescue Operations and Ongoing Search
Coast‑guard vessels, navy ships and local fishing boats converged on the scene within minutes, deploying lifeboats and helicopters to retrieve survivors. Video footage released by the coast guard showed the ferry ablaze against the backdrop of Palawan’s shoreline. Al Jazeera highlighted the coordinated response, noting that the rapid deployment helped save dozens of lives.
Authorities have been conducting a systematic sweep of the surrounding waters. The exact number of missing persons varies among reports: the BBC, The New York Times and NBC News cite 86 missing, while The Times of India and The National News list 87. All outlets agree that the total number of people on board was 134, and that the search is focused on locating the remaining passengers and crew.
Philippine officials, including the Maritime Safety Office, have pledged full assistance to the families of the victims. In a statement reported by The Washington Post, the government vowed a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire, emphasizing the need to review safety protocols for inter‑island ferry services.
The tragedy comes amid a broader pattern of maritime accidents in the Philippines, where overloaded vessels and inadequate safety equipment have repeatedly raised concerns. Nikkei Asia and VnExpress International both referenced previous incidents to underscore the urgency of regulatory reforms.
As the search continues, relatives of the missing are gathering at local relief centers, awaiting news of their loved ones. The coast guard has urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward, while families hope for closure amid the ongoing investigation.
