CORON, PALAWAN — Philippine authorities have warned that identifying the victims of the devastating MV June Aster ferry fire could take weeks or even months, as forensic experts begin the difficult task of collecting and comparing DNA from severely charred human remains.
The warning comes after the death toll from one of the Philippines’ deadliest maritime disasters in recent years climbed to 76, with 13 people still unaccounted for.
For families waiting in Coron, Palawan, the tragedy has now entered another agonising phase: finding out whether the remains recovered from the burned vessel belong to their loved ones.
“It Could Be Weeks, or Much Longer”
Forensic specialist Richard Allan Mangalip of the Philippine National Police said authorities could not provide a definite timeline for identifying all the victims.
Many of the remains recovered from the MV June Aster were severely burned, making visual identification impossible in numerous cases.
Some remains were found clustered in different parts of the ferry, while others were scattered throughout the vessel, increasing the complexity of the forensic work.
Authorities are now relying heavily on DNA testing and comparisons with samples collected from relatives.
Mangalip said the process could take weeks and potentially much longer because of the number of specimens that need to be examined.
Death Toll Reaches 76 as Search Continues
The scale of the disaster became even clearer after rescuers recovered 41 additional remains, pushing the confirmed death toll to 76.
The ferry was carrying more than 130 people on its journey from Manila to Coron when the fire erupted near the end of the roughly 20-hour voyage.
Earlier official information listed 117 passengers and 17 crew members on the vessel, although authorities later noted that two passengers listed on the manifest had reported that they did not board.
Only 43 survivors were reported in the earlier stages of the rescue operation.
The search and recovery effort remains difficult, and officials have warned that more remains could still be found because some sections of the ferry have not yet been completely searched.
What Investigators Found Inside the Burned Ferry
The full extent of the destruction only became clear after firefighters and investigators were finally able to enter the MV June Aster.
The fire continued for more than a day, with intense heat and thick smoke initially preventing rescuers from safely accessing parts of the vessel.
When investigators entered, they found a devastating scene.
Images released by authorities showed twisted steel bed frames, ash-covered interiors and severe fire damage throughout sections of the ferry.
Earlier reports said remains were found in sleeping and accommodation areas, where passengers may have been caught as the flames spread rapidly through the vessel.
Flooded Decks and Engine Room Could Hold Crucial Evidence
Investigators are still trying to determine exactly how and where the deadly fire started.
Key sections of the vessel, including flooded lower decks and the engine room, are among the areas authorities are attempting to examine for evidence.
A statement from the Maritime Industry Authority, citing survivor accounts, said two explosions were reportedly heard shortly before the fire broke out.
However, investigators have not yet confirmed the cause of the explosions or whether they were directly connected to the fire.
That means the exact origin of the blaze remains under investigation.
Survivors Describe Panic as Fire Spread Rapidly
Earlier survivor accounts painted a terrifying picture of chaos onboard the MV June Aster.
One survivor said the fire spread so quickly that he did not have enough time to get a life jacket as passengers panicked and struggled to escape.
He eventually jumped from a window.
Other survivors also described hearing explosions before flames rapidly engulfed parts of the vessel.
Rescue efforts were further complicated by smoke, heat, weather conditions and the fact that the burning vessel drifted away from its original location.
The Philippine Coast Guard, military personnel, local communities and other agencies were deployed during the large-scale rescue and recovery operation.
Shipowner Says It Is Cooperating With Investigators
Atienza Inter-Island Ferries, the company operating the MV June Aster, has said it is cooperating with authorities and will continue assisting affected families.
Government agencies have also mobilised support for survivors and relatives of those affected by the tragedy.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development deployed personnel and distributed immediate assistance, while the Philippine Coast Guard and other agencies continued search, recovery and identification operations.
Another Major Maritime Disaster Raises Safety Questions
The MV June Aster fire has once again placed the spotlight on maritime safety in the Philippines.
The country is an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands, and millions of Filipinos rely on ferries and small boats to travel between provinces and islands.
But the Philippines has suffered numerous deadly maritime disasters over the decades, with accidents often linked to a combination of severe weather, overcrowding, vessel conditions and weaknesses in safety enforcement.
The MV June Aster disaster is now being counted among the country’s deadliest recent ferry tragedies.
Families Now Face the Longest Wait
For the relatives of those who died, the recovery operation may be over for some victims—but the search for answers is far from finished.
DNA testing is now expected to play a critical role in giving names back to the victims.
Authorities have made clear that there is no quick solution.
With many remains severely charred and forensic teams facing a large number of DNA samples, some families may have to wait weeks or even months before receiving confirmation.
Meanwhile, investigators continue searching the burned and flooded sections of the MV June Aster for additional remains and evidence that could finally reveal what caused the catastrophic fire.
Seventy-six people are confirmed dead. Thirteen are still unaccounted for. And for dozens of grieving families, the most painful question remains unanswered: When will they finally know if their loved one has been found?
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