Death toll from Philippines ferry fire climbs to 35, with dozens still missing

The death toll from a ferry fire in the Philippines has risen to 35, with more than 50 people still unaccounted for, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. The fire broke out on the MV June Aster as it approached Coron, a popular tourist destination, after departing from Manila. The ferry, carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members, had been on a 22-hour journey when the blaze erupted.

Forty-three individuals were rescued and received medical attention, while emergency responders continue to search for the missing individuals.

Coast guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab stated that most of the recovered bodies were found in the sleeping area of the boat, which was still contaminated by toxic fumes and heat. The search and recovery operations are being conducted in accordance with established procedures to properly identify the remains. The coast guard has acknowledged the grief of the affected families.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire likely started in the cargo hold, and some survivors reported that not all passengers were wearing life vests during the incident. A survivor described hearing panicked cries and being trampled by others as they tried to escape the flames. The Philippine maritime authority is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire, focusing on potential discrepancies in the vessel's manifest, cargo loading, and crew emergency response protocols.

Atienza Interisland Ferries, the vessel's operator, has pledged full cooperation with the inquiry and emphasized their commitment to finding all missing individuals.