Five dead, more than 80 missing after Philippine ferry fire

Five lives were lost and over eighty remain unaccounted for following a tragic ferry fire off the coast of Palawan island in the western Philippines on Wednesday night, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. The incident occurred on the MV June Aster, which was en route from Manila to Coron when the blaze erupted in waters near Coron.

As of Thursday, forty-three individuals had been rescued from the burning vessel. Graphic footage provided by the Coast Guard showed flames engulfing sections of the ship, while emergency responders were seen carefully placing bodies into body bags.

Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab informed local radio station DZXL that the ferry's manifest listed 117 passengers and 17 crew members. Based on the reported survivor and fatality numbers, more than eighty people were missing, with the Coast Guard stating that this figure could change as the rescue efforts continue. The MV June Aster had departed from Baseco in Manila and was bound for Coron at the time of the fire. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire.