World

Five Dead, Over 80 Missing in Philippine Ferry Fire

A fire aboard the M/V June Aster ferry near Palawan has resulted in five confirmed deaths and around 84 individuals reported missing after rescue efforts began.

11 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Five Dead, Over 80 Missing in Philippine Ferry Fire — Archive photoPhoto: Sgt. Valerie Eppler · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

A ferry fire off Coron, Palawan, in the Philippines on Wednesday evening has led to at least five confirmed fatalities and approximately 84 individuals reported as missing, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The incident occurred about 2.2 kilometers offshore as the M/V June Aster was transporting both passengers and crew from Manila to Coron, a popular tourist destination.

Reports indicate that the ferry had a total of 134 individuals on board at the time of the fire, which sparked during the voyage. Rescue operations were initiated promptly, resulting in the successful recovery of 43 people. The coast guard has stated that the efforts are ongoing as search teams continue to look for those who are unaccounted for.

The cause of the fire has not yet been disclosed, and authorities are investigating details surrounding the incident. PCG spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab confirmed that multiple vessels, including coastguard and military assets, have been deployed to aid in the search and rescue processes.

The tragedy has prompted a wave of concern for the missing, with authorities coordinating closely with local disaster response offices. Officials are utilizing advanced drift-modelling tools to assist in locating survivors or bodies in the water.

As search operations continue, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced their decision to assist the coast guard in locating the individuals reported missing from this tragic event. Efforts to gather more information and provide assistance to bereaved families are also underway.

As the situation develops, the coast guard will release updated information regarding both the search efforts and the circumstances leading up to this incident.

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