Overview
- A passenger-and-cargo ferry, the M/V June Aster, caught fire near Coron in Palawan on Wednesday night and issued a distress signal as flames spread rapidly.
- Official manifests list 134 people on board (117 passengers and 17 crew); coast guard reports show 42–43 people rescued, five confirmed dead and about 86–87 still unaccounted for.
- Search-and-rescue teams continue operations but dense smoke, extreme heat, risk of explosions, strong currents and rough seas have limited access to the damaged ship.
- Investigators have not concluded a cause; a surviving crew member told authorities the fire began in the cargo hold and the ferry operator says it is cooperating while officials note the vessel had passed inspections.
- The incident highlights long-standing safety problems in Philippine ferry transport and could prompt tougher oversight, while survivors and families face urgent medical and identification needs.