CORON, PALAWAN — The death toll from the devastating MV June Aster ferry fire has climbed to 35 after rescuers recovered dozens of bodies from inside the burned vessel, turning what began as a desperate rescue operation into one of the Philippines’ deadliest maritime disasters in recent years.
The passenger ferry caught fire on the evening of September 9 while approaching Coron, Palawan, after a journey that began in Manila. Philippine authorities initially reported five deaths, but the toll surged after responders were finally able to enter the heavily damaged vessel and recover an additional 30 bodies.
The latest reports said 54 people remained missing, while 43 people were rescued alive. Authorities warned that the figures could still change as search, recovery and identification operations continue.
Rescuers Faced Smoke, Extreme Heat and a Burned-Out Ferry
The scale of the tragedy became clearer only after firefighters and rescue teams gained access to sections of the ferry that had been too dangerous to enter during the initial hours of the disaster.
Thick smoke and intense heat had prevented responders from boarding the MV June Aster immediately, delaying efforts to search the interior of the ship. When rescuers eventually entered the charred vessel, they discovered dozens of additional victims.
The ferry’s official manifest listed 117 passengers and 17 crew members, although authorities have continued reviewing the exact number of people involved in the disaster. Two people listed on the manifest were later reported not to have boarded, according to international reports.
Survivor Accounts Raise Questions About How the Fire Started
One of the biggest unanswered questions remains the cause of the catastrophic blaze.
According to an initial account provided by a surviving crew member, the fire reportedly started in the vessel’s cargo hold as a small fire before rapidly growing within seconds, Philippine Coast Guard officials said.
Survivor accounts reported by international news agencies also described hearing explosions before the fire spread through the ship, although authorities have not yet established what caused them or whether they were connected to the origin of the blaze.
The ferry was reportedly carrying vehicles and other cargo, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation. Officials have stressed that the exact cause remains under investigation.
Passengers Forced Into a Desperate Fight for Survival
As flames spread rapidly across the vessel, passengers and crew were thrown into chaos.
Some survivors reportedly escaped by jumping into the sea, while rescue teams, nearby vessels, local fishermen and authorities raced to pull people from the water. The Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, military personnel and local responders were mobilized for the operation.
Among those rescued were foreign nationals, including two Chilean tourists, according to reports.
For families waiting onshore, however, the rescue operation has become an agonizing search for answers. Relatives of missing passengers have gathered in Coron hoping for confirmation that their loved ones survived—or for information about those recovered from the vessel.
Shipping Company Could Face Liability
The Philippine Coast Guard has said the shipping company could potentially face liability depending on the outcome of the official investigation.
Authorities are examining whether there was negligence or any improper action involving the vessel’s operation, crew response, safety procedures or other factors before and during the fire. However, officials have emphasized that responsibility has not yet been determined and that the investigation is ongoing.
The ferry was operated by Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc., according to reports. The company has expressed condolences and said it is cooperating with authorities.
A New Maritime Tragedy Raises Old Questions
The MV June Aster disaster has once again placed the spotlight on maritime safety in the Philippines, an archipelago where millions of people depend on ferries and other sea vessels for travel between islands.
The country has suffered major maritime disasters in the past, including the 1987 collision involving the Doña Paz, widely regarded as one of the world’s deadliest peacetime maritime disasters. While the circumstances of the MV June Aster fire are entirely different, the latest tragedy is likely to renew scrutiny of vessel safety, emergency preparedness, cargo handling and the enforcement of maritime regulations.
For now, the immediate focus remains on the missing.
With 35 confirmed dead, 43 survivors and dozens still unaccounted for, authorities continue their search and recovery efforts near Coron while investigators work to answer the question at the center of the tragedy:
What caused a small reported fire to become an inferno that trapped so many people aboard the MV June Aster?
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