5 dead and 87 feared missing after Philippines ferry fire

Five people lost their lives and 87 others remain missing after a tragic ferry fire in the Philippines. The ferry, en route to the popular tourist destination of Coron in Palawan, experienced a devastating blaze. Coron is renowned for its stunning limestone cliffs, sandy beaches, and turquoise waters, as well as its reputation for hosting World War II shipwreck sites, making it a magnet for both local and foreign tourists.

Ferry accidents are not uncommon in the Philippines, a nation comprised of 7,100 islands, where many residents rely on sea travel to connect the various islands. However, deadly incidents like this one are rare in Coron, until now.

Mae Lorraine Galera-Navoa, sister of Garcia's brother-in-law, was among those aboard the vessel. She had journeyed to Luzon to attend her father's funeral, accompanied by her husband Elyzer Navoa and their three-year-old daughter Hiraya Joy. The family was returning from Manila when they received the devastating news. The family had been traveling back home to El Nido in Palawan when the ferry caught fire.

At present, 43 survivors have been identified, and the total number of fatalities is now confirmed at five. The Philippine Coast Guard has released images of rescue operations, displaying groups of people and coast guards assisting passengers on smaller vessels. The incident has been described as "heartbreaking" by witnesses, with one municipal disaster staff member noting it as the first such occurrence in Coron. They had to transport casualties to a hospital, which is located an hour away from the nearest major port.

As of now, 87 individuals are still unaccounted for, although this number could change as search and rescue efforts continue. The ferry was carrying 134 passengers and crew members, as confirmed by the Coast Guard. Of those rescued, 38 were passengers and four were crew members. However, obtaining information from the rescued individuals has proven challenging, as they have not been able to communicate with the rescue teams.

The Philippine Coast Guard emphasized that this data is live and subject to change as the ongoing search and rescue operations progress.