At least five people have died and 86 remain unaccounted for after a fire engulfed a passenger ferry off the coast of Palawan in the Philippines, with rescue teams continuing a search for survivors.
The MV June Aster, carrying 134 people — 117 passengers and 17 crew — caught fire on Wednesday evening as it approached Coron, a popular tourist destination in Palawan. The Philippine Coast Guard said 43 people had so far been rescued.
The vessel had departed Manila and was scheduled to arrive in Coron when the fire was reported at about 6:45 p.m. local time.
The Coast Guard said the ferry was still emitting thick smoke on Thursday, preventing rescuers from boarding because of the risk of suffocation, extreme heat and possible explosions. Strong currents and bad weather have also complicated the search, with the vessel drifting farther offshore.
Some survivors were rescued from the sea, with Coast Guard officials saying several were not wearing life jackets. Authorities believe some passengers may have jumped overboard as the fire spread rapidly.
One survivor reportedly told investigators that a loud explosion was heard near the cargo hold, followed almost immediately by smoke and flames. The Coast Guard has not established what caused the fire and has warned against drawing conclusions while investigations continue. (AP News)
The ferry was carrying vehicles and other cargo, including motorcycles, an electric vehicle, a forklift and a pickup truck.
Coast Guard, military and civilian vessels have been deployed in the rescue operation, with nearby fishermen and coastal communities also assisting. Authorities are using wind and current data to estimate where passengers who entered the water may have drifted.
The Coast Guard said the vessel had passed a safety inspection in March 2026 and was found compliant with requirements, including having enough life jackets for its certified capacity.
The vessel’s owner, Atienza Interisland Ferries, said it was cooperating with authorities investigating the incident.
The Coast Guard has also begun looking into whether there was any negligence in the crew’s response to the fire and whether the shipping company could face liability.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation as the search continues for those still missing.