Rescue teams faced challenges accessing a passenger ferry that ignited and burned throughout the night off the western coast of the Philippines, resulting in five fatalities and 86 individuals unaccounted for, according to officials. Search and rescue operations were paused at nightfall but are scheduled to resume in the morning.
At present, 43 individuals have been saved, as reported by coast guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab. The MV June Aster ferry remained afloat but tilted near Coron after the fire that commenced on Wednesday evening. Smoke continued to emanate from the scorched vessel by midday on Thursday.
Cayabyab indicated that authorities were working to authenticate reports of two foreigners onboard by cross-referencing names on the manifest and coordinating with local government bodies and the shipping company to determine the identities of the deceased, survivors, and missing persons.
The vessel’s manifest indicated 134 individuals were onboard, with 117 being passengers and 17 crew members. Although the ferry could accommodate 306 passengers and 27 crew, it had sailed from Manila and was in proximity to its destination in Coron, Palawan province when the fire was reported at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
Efforts to board the ship were impeded by dense smoke, with Cayabyab stating, “Our primary goal is to access the ship to evaluate the situation.”
Later that evening, search and rescue operations were suspended and will recommence in the morning. The cause of the fire remains unknown, though one survivor suggested it originated in the cargo hold. The coast guard is collaborating with the shipping company and maritime authorities to gather more information.
According to a survivor, “a loud explosion was heard, followed by smoke and fire,” with the fire spreading rapidly within seconds.
Rescue efforts were hampered by inclement weather conditions and rough seas. The ferry, which had initially sent a distress signal while approximately 7.4 kilometers off Turda village, was later found to be 14.2 kilometers away due to strong sea currents.
Coron is renowned for its scenic beauty, including crystal-clear waters, limestone cliffs, and rock formations. Ferries are commonly used for transportation in the Philippine archipelago, where maritime accidents are not uncommon due to adverse weather, poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding, and lax enforcement of safety regulations, particularly in remote regions.
The Philippines witnessed a devastating maritime tragedy in 1987 when the ferry Dona Paz collided with a fuel tanker in the central region, claiming over 4,300 lives in the world’s deadliest peacetime maritime disaster.
