Philippines ferry fire death toll rises to 35

Rescuers have recovered several more bodies from a ferry that caught fire off the coast of Palawan in the Philippines, raising the death toll to 35. More than 50 people remain missing, the country’s coast guard said Friday.

The Philippine Coast Guard said 30 bodies were recovered from the wreckage of the ferry following the incident. The deaths of five people had earlier been confirmed. The total death toll now stands at 35.

The MV June Astor departed the capital Manila for the tourist destination of Coron on Wednesday. The ferry caught fire before reaching its destination.

There were 117 passengers and 17 crew members on board. Forty-three people were rescued after the fire broke out. Many of them are receiving treatment at hospitals.

However, more than 50 people remain unaccounted for. A search and rescue operation are underway to locate them.

The coast guard said more bodies could still be inside the ferry. Rescuers were unable to enter the vessel before Friday due to toxic smoke and intense heat.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemi Cayabyab said at a press conference that most of the bodies were recovered from the ferry’s sleeping area. The ferry was on a 22-hour journey.

“The recovered bodies are being properly identified and handed over,” said Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemi Cayabyab.

Earlier, based on preliminary conversations with survivors, the coast guard said the fire may have started in the ferry’s cargo hold. It also said some passengers were not wearing life jackets when the fire broke out.

A survivor told the BBC that he heard terrified people screaming inside the ferry after the fire broke out. He was also trampled by the panicked crowd while trying to escape.

Relevant authorities in the Philippines are investigating the cause and circumstances of the incident.