At least five people have died and 87 remain unaccounted for after a fire broke out aboard a ferry near the tourist hotspot of Coron in the Philippine province of Palawan, the coast guard said Thursday.
The fire erupted aboard the M/V June Aster on Wednesday evening, about 2.2 kilometres (1.3 miles) offshore. Five casualties were brought ashore, according to the coast guard.
Video shared by the coast guard showed the vessel completely engulfed in flames as search and rescue operations continued.
At least five people have been killed and over 80 are unaccounted for after a fire broke out on a ferry in the Philippines.
Footage shows the MV June Aster ablaze in waters near the tourist hotspot of Coron in the Palawan district.
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing. pic.twitter.com/6f7YUMyT51— Pacific Wire (@JMChyno) September 10, 2026
87 People Still Unaccounted For
Coastguard Captain Noemi Cayabyab said 42 people had been rescued, including 38 passengers and four crew members. The ship’s manifest listed 134 passengers and crew.
“Based on the data we have right now on rescued (42) and the casualties, we still have 87 people who are unaccounted for,” Cayabyab told a local radio station.
She stressed that the numbers could change as the search and rescue operation continued.
“Just to make it clear, this is live data and may change as our search and rescue operations are ongoing,” Cayabyab said.
According to the coast guard, officials have not yet been able to obtain information from those rescued because they have not been able to speak with them.
“However, we have not yet been able to obtain information from the rescued individuals because we have not been able to speak with them,” Cayabyab said.
Efforts to put out the fire were ongoing, while authorities continued searching for those still unaccounted for.
Tracking data from MarineTraffic showed that the M/V June Aster had departed from Manila.
