At least five people have died and 86 remain missing after a ferry caught fire near the Philippine tourist destination of Coron.The MV June Aster was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members when the blaze broke out on Wednesday evening.
The vessel had departed from Manila and was approaching Coron in Palawan when the fire erupted. The Philippine Coast Guard said the fire was still burning as of 11:00 on Thursday. Strong currents and thick smoke have made rescue and firefighting efforts difficult.
At least 43 people have been rescued, although the extent of injuries among survivors remains unclear. Seven survivors were taken to a hospital on neighbouring Culion island, which has greater bed capacity and more comprehensive medical services.
A survivor, Roland Lerma, told the BBC he spent about two hours in the sea before being rescued.
“It was cold. If the rescue was delayed, I would definitely have died,” Lerma said.
Preliminary interviews with survivors suggest the fire started in the cargo hold, according to the coastguard. That is the area is used to store containers and other goods. Officials also said some passengers were not wearing life jackets when the emergency occurred. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
First responders described the incident as one of the worst disasters they had witnessed in Coron. One responder told the BBC the situation was “really heartbreaking”.
Survivors were taken to an evacuation centre in Barangay Turda, north of Marcilla, as authorities continued searching for those still missing. Families have also gathered at hospitals and followed local news updates while waiting for information about their relatives.
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