A Philippine ferry caught fire near Coron, leaving five dead and dozens missing as rescue operations continue.
Key facts
- •The MV June Aster was carrying 134 people, consisting of 117 passengers and 17 crew members.
- •Coast guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab confirmed that 43 people have been rescued as of Thursday morning.
- •The vessel was located about 1.2 nautical miles northeast of Barangay Marcilla in Coron, Palawan.
- •Atienza Interisland Shipping Line, the operator of the ferry, had not issued a statement as of Thursday morning.
- •Search efforts are being complicated by adverse weather conditions and the vessel drifting due to currents.
Five people have died and 86 remain missing after the MV June Aster ferry caught fire on Wednesday evening near the Philippine island of Palawan. The Philippine Coast Guard reported that 43 people have been rescued from the vessel, which was operated by Atienza Interisland Shipping Line. The ship was traveling from Baseco port in Metro Manila to Coron when it became engulfed in flames approximately 1.2 nautical miles from Barangay Marcilla.
By the numbers
Ongoing Search and Rescue Operations
The Philippine Coast Guard is conducting search and rescue operations, though efforts are currently being hampered by bad weather and strong currents that are pulling the vessel away from the shore. Officials are working to determine the cause of the fire, which remains under investigation. The coast guard is coordinating with the shipping company to verify passenger details and gather information from the 43 survivors.
Maritime Safety in the Philippines
Maritime accidents are a recurring issue in the Philippines. According to coast guard data, there were 202 serious sea accidents reported in 2024. In a previous incident in January, a ferry sinking in Basilan province resulted in at least 58 deaths among the more than 350 people on board.
Timeline
- Wednesday eveningThe MV June Aster caught fire near the island of Palawan.
- Thursday morningThe Philippine Coast Guard reported 42 rescues and 87 missing individuals.
- Later Thursday morningThe coast guard updated the figures to 43 rescued and 86 missing.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Nikkei Asia.
