Five Killed, 87 Missing After Ferry Catches Fire In Philippines

At least five people have died and 87 remain missing after the M/V June Aster caught fire off Palawan province in the Philippines. The ferry was travelling from Manila towards Coron when the blaze erupted about 2.2 kilometres offshore. At least 42 people have been rescued, while search-and-rescue operations continue. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire. The disaster comes months after another ferry accident in the Philippines killed at least 18 people.

FERRY CATCHES FIRE OFF PALAWAN

At least five people have died and 87 others remain unaccounted for after a ferry caught fire off the coast of Palawan province in the Philippines, authorities said.
The Philippine Coast Guard said the fire broke out on Wednesday evening aboard the M/V June Aster, about 2.2 kilometres offshore near Coron, a popular tourist destination.
Video released by the Coast Guard showed large sections of the vessel engulfed in flames as rescue teams worked to assist those on board.

DOZENS RESCUED AS SEARCH CONTINUES

Coast Guard Captain Noemi Cayabyab said 42 people had been rescued as of Thursday, including 38 passengers and four crew members.
Five casualties had also been brought ashore.
The ferry's manifest listed 134 passengers and crew members, leaving 87 people unaccounted for based on the latest figures.
Cayabyab stressed that the figures were preliminary and could change as the search-and-rescue operation continued.
“We still have 87 people who are unaccounted for,” she said, according to AFP.
Reuters reported that 43 people had been rescued by Wednesday night, highlighting the rapidly changing situation.

RESCUE TEAMS BATTLE THE BLAZE

Coast Guard personnel and other emergency responders continued efforts to rescue passengers and crew while attempting to bring the fire under control.
Authorities said they had not yet been able to obtain detailed information from many of the rescued passengers because officials had not been able to speak with them.
The condition and whereabouts of the missing passengers remained a major concern as the operation continued.

FERRY WAS TRAVELLING FROM MANILA

The M/V June Aster had sailed from Manila and was travelling towards Palawan when the fire broke out near Coron.
Coron is one of the Philippines' most popular tourist destinations, known for its beaches, islands, coral reefs and diving sites.
The incident therefore occurred in an area regularly used by passenger and tourist vessels.
Authorities have not yet disclosed what caused the fire.

CAUSE OF FIRE REMAINS UNKNOWN

No official explanation has been given for what started the blaze.
Investigators are expected to examine the vessel, crew operations, maintenance records and other circumstances surrounding the incident once the immediate rescue operation has ended.
The priority remains finding those still missing and ensuring that survivors receive medical attention.

PHILIPPINES HAS HISTORY OF DEADLY SEA ACCIDENTS

Ferry accidents are a recurring concern in the Philippines, an archipelago made up of more than 7,000 islands.
Millions of people depend on ferries and other boats to travel between islands, but journeys can become dangerous during monsoon rains, typhoons and rough seas.
Past maritime disasters have also raised questions about vessel maintenance, overcrowding and enforcement of safety regulations.

RECENT FERRY DISASTER KILLED 18

The latest incident comes only months after another deadly ferry disaster in the Philippines.
In January, a ferry carrying more than 350 people sank off Baluk-baluk Island, killing at least 18 people.
The disaster renewed concerns about maritime safety and the risks faced by passengers who rely on sea transport.

FAMILIES WAIT FOR NEWS OF MISSING PASSENGERS

For families of those still unaccounted for, the ongoing rescue operation remains a desperate wait for information.
With the Coast Guard warning that the figures could change, authorities are continuing to search the waters around the vessel while rescuers work to secure the site.
The final death toll and number of survivors may therefore change as the operation progresses and authorities establish exactly how many people were aboard the ferry.