Deaths in Philippines ferry fire rises to at least 35 with 54 still missing, tell me about this news in (https://news.sky.com/story/deaths-in-philippines-ferry-fire-rises-to-at-least-35-with-54-still-missing-13584566)
12-09-2026
At least 35 people have died and 54 remain missing after a passenger ferry caught fire off the western Philippines.Key details of the incident:
- The Vessel and Voyage: The passenger ferry, named MV June Aster, was traveling from the capital, Manila, to Coron, a popular tourist destination in Palawan province. It caught fire around 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday when it was roughly 7.4 kilometers (4.6 miles) off the village of Turda near Coron.
- Casualties and Search Efforts: The confirmed death toll rose sharply to 35 after Philippine Coast Guard search teams were finally able to board the gutted vessel once the intense blaze and heat cooled down. Rescuers recovered 30 bodies from the interior, mostly in the economy accommodation area, while 54 people remain unaccounted for.
- Survivors: Forty-three people (including 30 passengers and 13 crew members) were rescued from the water. Among the survivors were two Chilean tourists who were treated for injuries at a hospital in Coron.
- Circumstances of the Blaze: Survivors reported hearing back-to-back explosions coming from the cargo area before flames and thick smoke engulfed the vessel within seconds. Panic ensued, leaving many unable to reach life jackets before jumping into the sea, where several had to tread water for hours before rescue boats arrived.
- Investigation: The ferry’s manifest listed 134 passengers and crew, though two individuals later confirmed they had not boarded. The ship was also carrying cargo, motorcycles, a pickup truck, and an electric vehicle. Maritime authorities, police, and explosive ordnance teams are investigating the precise cause of the explosions and fire.