A passenger ferry caught fire off the western Philippines, burning overnight and leaving at least five people dead and dozens missing by Thursday. Coast Guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab reported that 43 individuals have been rescued, while an intense, widespread search continues for those still unaccounted for. The vessel, named the MV June Aster, was left afloat but listing after the blaze—which began Wednesday evening—was extinguished. By Thursday midday, smoke continued to rise from the charred ship. Search-and-rescue teams, including a Coast Guard ship, high-speed response boats, a military vessel, government boats, private volunteers, and local fishermen, are actively scouring the area. The Coast Guard has also broadcast alerts to nearby vessels and coordinated with coastal communities. The ferry, carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members for a total of 134 people on board, had departed from Manila and was approaching its destination of Coron in Palawan province when the fire erupted at approximately 6:45 p.m. Wednesday. Rescue operations faced severe challenges from poor weather, rough waves, and strong sea currents that dragged the ship further away from its initial distress location. Authorities are utilizing drift-modeling tools to aid the search, and an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, with one survivor suggesting it may have started in the cargo hold. Ferries serve as a vital mode of transportation throughout the Philippine archipelago, though maritime accidents remain a frequent concern due to storms, vessel maintenance issues, overcrowding, and lax safety enforcement.
Source: cbsnews.com
