At least five people have died and more than 80 others remain unaccounted for after a passenger ferry caught fire off the western Philippines, prompting a major search-and-rescue operation involving the coast guard, government agencies and local fishing communities.
The blaze broke out aboard the MV June Aster on Wednesday night in waters near Coron, a popular tourist destination in Palawan province, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
Rescue teams managed to save 43 people shortly after the fire erupted. Coast Guard officials said the vessel's manifest listed 117 passengers and 17 crew members, raising concerns that dozens of people may still be missing.
Philippine authorities said the search for survivors remains ongoing, with the number of missing likely to change as rescue efforts continue and officials verify passenger records.
Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said emergency responders were working to locate those unaccounted for while coordinating with the ferry operator and local authorities.
The Coast Guard has adopted what it described as a “whole-of-government” response, deploying multiple agencies and receiving support from volunteer fishermen in nearby coastal communities.
“We are working tirelessly on these operations because, in situations like this, time is truly of the essence,” a coast guard spokesperson said.
Officials have also appealed to families with missing relatives to contact authorities to help ensure an accurate accounting of everyone who was on board.
According to the coast guard, the ferry had departed from Baseco in Manila and was en route to Coron when the fire broke out.
Of the 43 people rescued, 38 were passengers and four were crew members, while authorities continue efforts to establish the whereabouts of the remaining occupants.
Rescue teams have not yet completed interviews with survivors, meaning investigators are still piecing together what happened aboard the vessel before the fire began.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Images released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed large sections of the ferry engulfed in flames as emergency crews battled the blaze. Other footage showed responders recovering victims and placing bodies into body bags.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine where and how the fire started.
The incident occurred near Coron, one of the Philippines' most visited island destinations.
Located in Palawan province, the area is renowned for its clear waters, limestone cliffs and world-famous diving sites, including several Japanese shipwrecks dating from World War II.
The tragedy has shocked local communities and raised fresh concerns about maritime safety in an archipelago that relies heavily on ferries to connect its thousands of islands.
As search operations continue, officials say their priority remains locating survivors and providing support to families affected by the disaster.
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