Overview
- An explosion in the ferry’s hold triggered a blaze that survivors say spread within seconds, and the vessel was later found aground on an islet off Coron.
- Rescue teams confirmed at least 76 deaths after crews recovered 41 additional bodies on Saturday, and about a dozen people remain unaccounted for.
- Thirty passengers and 13 crew were rescued and the ferry’s manifest listed 134 people, though two did not board, according to coast guard officials.
- Investigators including police, military and demining teams have boarded the wreck to search for more victims and to probe whether cargo such as an electric vehicle, a pick-up and motorcycles fueled the fire.
- Recovered remains are being taken to Borac (Coron) for provisional burial and DNA identification while families continue to identify personal effects and await formal results, a process that could prompt renewed enforcement of ferry safety rules.