Philippines Ferry Fire: 43 Rescued, 5 Dead And 87 Missing As Search Continues Off Palawan

A massive fire aboard a passenger ferry off the western Philippines has left at least five people dead and 87 missing, as coast guard, military personnel and local volunteers continued a major search-and-rescue operation on Thursday.

The MV June Aster, carrying 134 people, caught fire on Wednesday evening while sailing from Manila to Coron in Palawan province, a popular tourist destination. The vessel had 117 passengers and 17 crew members on board.

Philippine Coast Guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said 43 people had been rescued so far, including two Chilean nationals, while five deaths had been confirmed. The number of missing people remains subject to change as rescuers continue checking the surrounding waters and coordinating with coastal communities.

The ferry remained afloat but was listing, with smoke continuing to rise from the badly damaged vessel. Extreme heat and the possibility of further explosions initially prevented rescuers from boarding it.

The Coast Guard, military, government vessels, fishermen and private volunteers have joined the operation. A military aircraft has also been placed on standby, while ships in the area have been alerted to watch for survivors.

The fire reportedly began at around 6:45 pm, when the ferry was near Coron. One survivor told authorities that a loud explosion may have come from the cargo hold before the flames rapidly spread, although officials have not established the cause.

The vessel was carrying several vehicles and general cargo, including five motorcycles, an electric vehicle, a forklift and a pickup truck. Authorities said the ferry had passed safety inspections and had a maximum capacity of 330 people.

The Coast Guard is investigating the incident, while the ferry's operator, Atienza Inter-Island Ferries, has said it is cooperating with authorities.