Philippine ferry fire kills five, over 80 missing

A ferry fire off Palawan island in the western Philippines on Wednesday night left five people dead and more than 80 missing.

Philippine Coast Guard said on Thursday emergency responders rescued 43 people following the blaze aboard the MV June Aster in waters off Coron, Palawan. Official video footage released by the Coast Guard depicted flames consuming parts of the ship as responders placed bodies into body bags.

Speaking to DZXL radio, Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab added that the vessel’s manifest listed 117 passengers and 17 crew members. Based on the counts of survivors and fatalities, officials calculated that more than 80 people remain unaccounted for.

Cayabyab noted that these figures may shift while the rescue operation continues. The ferry had departed from Baseco in Manila heading toward Coron. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire.

Source: Reuters (adapted)