Key facts
- At least five people died and 86 are missing after a fire on the MV June Aster ferry in the Philippines.
- The ferry, carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew, departed from Manila and was nearing Coron, Palawan.
- Forty-three people have been rescued, with seven survivors hospitalized.
- Preliminary interviews suggest the fire started in the cargo hold.
- Rescue efforts are challenged by thick smoke and strong currents.
At least five people have died and 86 are missing after a fire broke out on the MV June Aster ferry in the Philippines, the country's coastguard said. The vessel, which departed from Manila carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members, was nearing its destination at the tourist hotspot of Coron in Palawan when the blaze erupted.
Rescue efforts are being hampered by strong currents and thick smoke, according to the coastguard. Preliminary interviews with survivors suggest the fire started in the cargo hold. Forty-three people have been rescued, and seven of them were taken to a hospital in Culion for more comprehensive healthcare services.
Maritime accidents are common in the Philippines, an archipelago where inter-island ferries are a primary mode of transport. Poor maintenance and uneven enforcement of safety laws have been blamed for past incidents. In 2023, 31 people died after a fire on the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 ferry.