According to local authorities, at least five people have died and 87 others remain missing following a major ferry fire in the Philippines. The vessel, named the June Aster, caught fire roughly 2.2 kilometers off the coast of Palawan province while traveling from Manila toward a popular tourist destination, as reported by TVNET.
Ferry Fire Details and Coast Guard Response
The disaster unfolded on a Wednesday evening as the passenger and cargo vessel neared the Palawan coastline. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the ship was completely consumed by flames, with dramatic video footage shared on Facebook showing the vessel engulfed in fire. Coast Guard Captain Noemi Kajabjaba told a local radio station that rescue and firefighting operations were immediately launched in the area.
Out of the 134 individuals listed on the official manifest—comprising both passengers and crew members—emergency responders managed to rescue 42 people. This group includes 38 passengers and four crew members. Five bodies have been recovered and brought ashore, while search and rescue teams continue scouring the waters for the remaining 87 unaccounted-for individuals.
Casualty and Rescue Breakdown
| Metric | Count | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Total Persons on Board | 134 | Combined passenger and crew manifest (TVNET) |
| Confirmed Survivors | 42 | Includes 38 passengers and 4 crew members |
| Confirmed Fatalities | 5 | Recovered bodies brought to shore |
| Missing Persons | 87 | Destinies currently unknown; search ongoing |
Did you know?
The Philippine Coast Guard utilizes social media platforms like Facebook to rapidly disseminate visual evidence and operational updates during active maritime emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the June Aster ferry fire occur?
The fire broke out approximately 2.2 kilometers off the coast of Palawan province, near a popular tourist destination in the Philippines, according to TVNET.
How many people were rescued from the burning ferry?
The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed that 42 people—consisting of 38 passengers and four crew members—were successfully rescued from the vessel.
What was the origin of the ferry’s voyage?
According to Coast Guard reports cited by TVNET, the ferry had departed from Manila prior to the incident.