The death toll from the MV June Aster ferry fire off Coron, Palawan, has climbed to 35 after rescuers recovered 30 bodies from the burned-out vessel, with authorities warning that more remains may still be inside.
The Philippine Coast Guard said the remains were discovered after firefighters finally declared the blaze out on Friday, allowing responders to enter and assess the severely damaged ferry. The recovery operation began later that afternoon, with the remains transported toward Coron for identification.
As of the latest figures released by authorities on Saturday, 43 people have survived while 53 remain missing. The figures continue to be updated as authorities reconcile the passenger manifest and the identities of those rescued, recovered or reported not to have boarded.
Fire Spread Within Seconds
The MV June Aster was sailing from Manila to Coron when the fire erupted Wednesday evening as the vessel approached its destination.
Survivors described a terrifying sequence in which an apparent explosion was followed by smoke and flames that spread extremely rapidly.
The Maritime Industry Authority, citing survivor accounts, said two successive explosions were heard inside the vessel. A survivor also told investigators that the blaze may have started around the cargo area, although authorities have stressed that the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
The Philippine Coast Guard said the fire spread so quickly that some passengers did not even have enough time to put on life jackets.
Rescuers Faced Extreme Heat and Smoke
Search operations were initially hampered by thick smoke and intense heat inside the ferry, preventing rescuers from immediately entering the vessel.
Once the fire was declared out, responders conducted a safety assessment before beginning the recovery of remains.
The Coast Guard, Philippine National Police Scene of the Crime Operations personnel and other agencies are now involved in the recovery and identification process.
The first 30 recovered bodies were placed in body bags and transferred from the stricken vessel. Coast Guard officials said additional remains could still be aboard, meaning the final death toll could change as the search continues.
134 Listed on Manifest
The Coast Guard said the ferry’s manifest listed 134 passengers and crew, although two people listed on the manifest later reported that they had not actually boarded.
The vessel was also carrying cargo, including vehicles and motorcycles. Reports said an electric vehicle, a pickup truck and motorcycles were among the items aboard.
The vessel, operated by Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc., has a listed passenger capacity substantially higher than the number aboard during the voyage. The company has said it is cooperating with authorities investigating the tragedy.
Families Wait for Answers
While the recovery operation continues, families of missing passengers are gathering in Coron and nearby areas, desperately waiting for information about their loved ones.
The identification of badly burned remains is expected to be a difficult process, adding another layer of anguish for relatives who are still searching for missing family members. International reports have highlighted the frustration among some families over the limited information available during the early stages of the rescue operation.
Two Chilean tourists were among those who survived and were receiving medical treatment, according to reports.
Investigation Into Cause Continues
Authorities have not yet established what caused the fire.
Investigators are expected to examine the vessel, survivor accounts, cargo and other evidence to determine how the blaze began and why it spread so quickly.
Reports that an explosion preceded the fire have intensified questions surrounding the incident, but officials have cautioned that no definitive conclusion should be drawn until the investigation is completed.
The Coast Guard has also deployed precautionary oil-spill containment equipment around the area, although authorities said there was no visible oil sheen detected in the surrounding waters.
Another Grim Reminder of the Philippines’ Maritime Safety Challenges
The MV June Aster tragedy comes amid renewed concerns over maritime safety in the Philippines, where ferries remain a crucial form of transportation across the country’s thousands of islands.
The country has experienced several deadly maritime disasters in recent years. Earlier this year, the sinking of the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 left at least 52 people dead, while the 2023 Lady Mary Joy 3 ferry fire killed 31 people.
The latest disaster is also drawing comparisons with the 1987 Doña Paz tragedy, which remains one of the world’s deadliest peacetime maritime disasters, killing more than 4,300 people.
But for the families waiting in Coron, the immediate priority is much more personal: finding their missing loved ones and bringing them home.
And with rescuers still searching the charred remains of the MV June Aster, the final human toll of the Palawan ferry tragedy remains uncertain.
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