The MV June Aster was carrying 134 people from Manila to Coron, with 43 rescued as search operations continue off Palawan in the Philippines.
At least five people were killed and 86 remained missing on Thursday (September 10) after a fire aboard the MV June Aster near Coron in the Philippine province of Palawan, the coast guard said.
The ferry caught fire on Wednesday evening (September 9), about 1.2 nautical miles off Coron. It was travelling from Manila to the popular tourist destination with 117 passengers and 17 crew members aboard.
An initial coast guard tally listed 42 people rescued and 87 missing. Another person was subsequently rescued, raising the number brought to safety to 43 and leaving 86 unaccounted for. Officials cautioned that the figures could change as operations continued.
Reuters reported that those rescued included two Chilean nationals.
Search continues off Palawan
Footage shared by the coast guard on social media showed flames engulfing the ferry as emergency teams responded.
Two 44-metre coast guard vessels, three smaller craft, army boats, fishermen and resort owners joined the search. A military aircraft was on standby.
Bad weather, high waves and strong currents also hampered rescuers, while the ferry drifted further from shore. By Thursday, the blaze had been extinguished, but the vessel remained afloat and listing, with smoke still rising, the Associated Press reported.
Cayabyab said a survivor heard a cargo-hold explosion before flames spread.
The cause remains undetermined. The coast guard is coordinating with the shipping company and maritime authorities to establish what happened.
The ferry, with capacity for 330 people, had passed safety inspections, she said. Its cargo included five motorcycles, an electric vehicle, a forklift, a pickup truck and general goods.
Owner Atienza Inter-Island Ferries said it was cooperating with investigators.
