Five dead and 87 missing in Philippines ferry fire

A passenger ferry encountered a devastating fire off Coron in the western Philippines, resulting in five fatalities and 87 people still missing, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. The June Aster ferry, which embarked from Manila and was en route to Coron, experienced the fire around 6:45 pm local time on Wednesday. The vessel had a crew of 17 and was carrying 117 passengers, making a total of 134 individuals on board.

Forty-two people were rescued during the incident, comprising 38 passengers and four crew members. However, five fatalities were also reported, leaving 87 individuals unaccounted for as of the latest Coast Guard updates. Coast Guard spokesperson Noemie Cayabyab emphasized that these figures were dynamic and subject to change as search and rescue efforts persist. Videos from the scene depicted the June Aster ablaze, with rescue personnel attending to survivors and the wounded.

Coast Guard and other local agencies swiftly mobilized to the affected area following the fire. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, and authorities are continuing their efforts to locate the missing individuals as of Thursday. The Coast Guard reiterated that the search and rescue operation is ongoing and has appealed for any information from families of those who were aboard the ferry.