Philippine rescuers resume search for survivors of Palawan ferry fire

Smoke billowed from the charred passenger ferry M/V June Aster off Coron, Palawan province in the Philippines. (EPA Images pic) Manila: Philippine rescuers recommenced their search for survivors of a ferry fire that claimed at least five lives off the western province of Palawan on Friday, with over 80 people still unaccounted for.

Rescue efforts were hampered by thick smoke still billowing from the burned vessel, impeding responders from boarding the ferry, said Cayabyab, a spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard. Cayabyab revealed the number of missing individuals had been revised to 84 from the initial 86 after authorities confirmed that two individuals omitted from the manifest had indeed been aboard.

The count of rescued passengers stood at 43. Richard Marceliano, one of the survivors, recounted to GMA News that he witnessed a faint plume of smoke that rapidly escalated into a devastating blaze, engulfing the ferry within mere seconds. He and other passengers were rescued after enduring nearly two hours adrift in the sea. The Coast Guard has dispatched five vessels and divers to the vicinity, while army rescue boats, fishermen, and private resort owners have also joined the search, which commenced on Wednesday night.

Cayabyab hinted at the deployment of a larger Coast Guard vessel. It remained uncertain what precipitated the inferno. According to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), survivor accounts suggested two successive explosions were heard within the ship, igniting the fire. The vessel's manifest listed 117 passengers and 17 crew members aboard a ferry en route from Baseco in Manila to Coron, a renowned tourist hotspot in Palawan famed for its diving spots and island-hopping experiences.

The ferry was also transporting five motorcycles, an electric vehicle, a forklift, a pickup truck, and mostly cargo items, as per the Coast Guard.