At least five people have died and more than 80 others remain missing after a passenger ferry caught fire while sailing off the coast of Palawan in the Philippines.
The incident involved the MV June Aster, which was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members when the fire broke out on Wednesday evening, September 9, near the popular tourist destination of Coron.
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Footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) showed the ferry engulfed in flames as emergency responders worked to rescue people from the burning vessel.
According to the latest information from the Coast Guard, 43 people have been rescued, while five people have died. More than 80 people remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations continue.
The five victims were brought ashore and taken to the Barangay Turda Covered Court in Coron before being handed over to local disaster management authorities.
The ferry had departed from Baseco in Manila and was travelling towards Coron when the blaze erupted approximately 1.2 nautical miles from Barangay Marcilla in Coron.
One survivor reportedly told authorities that an explosion was heard from the vessel’s cargo area, where vehicles and motorcycles were being carried. Reports said the fire then spread rapidly across the ferry.
Rescue teams from the Philippine Coast Guard, military, local authorities and other vessels have been involved in the search for those still missing. Bad weather and strong sea conditions have also made the operation more difficult.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established, and authorities said an investigation is underway