Overview
- The M/V June Aster caught fire Wednesday evening about 2.2 kilometres off Coron in Palawan, forcing passengers into the water and leaving the vessel smouldering and listing.
- Rescuers have brought five bodies ashore and pulled about 42–43 people from the sea, while coast guard checks and two no-shows on the manifest put the number still unaccounted for at about 84.
- Smoke, extreme heat, rough seas and the risk of further explosions have blocked safe boarding and delayed interior searches and firefighting on the charred ferry.
- Investigators have opened a probe after at least one survivor reported a loud blast from the cargo hold and the ship was known to be carrying vehicles and other cargo that could affect the fire's origin and spread.
- The accident has renewed scrutiny of ferry safety and passenger accounting in the Philippines as authorities coordinate rescue teams, local volunteers and the ship operator to recover missing people and determine cause.