Five dead and 86 missing as 'heartbreaking' fire breaks out on Philippines ferry, tell me about this news in (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4zd4dn9n9o)
10-09-2026
A passenger ferry named the MV June Aster caught fire in the Philippines off the coast of Palawan island, near the tourist destination of Coron.Key details of the incident:
- Casualties and Missing: At least 5 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 80 people remain unaccounted for or missing. The vessel was carrying 134 individuals according to its manifest, comprising 117 passengers and 17 crew members.
- Rescues: Around 42 to 43 people (including 38 passengers and 4 crew members) were rescued from the water and evacuated as rescue operations got underway.
- Route and Location: The ferry had departed from the Baseco area in Manila and was en route to Coron when the fire broke out approximately 1.2 nautical miles off Barangay Marcilla.
- Response and Challenges: The Philippine Coast Guard deployed search-and-rescue teams, though operations were severely hindered by rough seas and poor weather conditions overnight. Officials noted that casualty and survivor counts remain fluid as search efforts continue.
- Cause: The official cause of the blaze has not yet been determined and remains under investigation.