Philippine ferry fire death toll climbs to 76 as identification process begins

The death toll from a Philippine ferry fire has risen to 76 following the identification of 41 additional bodies aboard the destroyed vessel. The remains will be transported to Coron, Palawan for temporary burial. Forensic specialists are currently working on the painstaking identification process. Five bodies were recovered immediately after the incident.

The ship, grounded about 7.5km off the coast, now has one-meter deep graves prepared for the victims until DNA testing is completed. Relatives are being brought to identify personal items that may belong to their loved ones. Once a match is confirmed, a DNA sample will be provided. The fire is believed to have started in the cargo hold, rapidly spreading through the ship within seconds.

Coast guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab stated that everything happened in seconds, with survivors not having time to put on life jackets. One Chilean national and 13 crew members have been rescued, while around a dozen people are still unaccounted for. Relatives of the victims are desperately searching for their loved ones online, with hundreds leaving comments on the local mayor's Facebook page.

The archipelago nation has a history of disasters involving inter-island ferries, many of which are cheap and poorly regulated. In January, a triple-decker ferry carrying over 340 people sank off the southern Philippines, killing at least 52 people. The company that owns the M/V June Aster, Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc, has stated it is fully cooperating with the investigation.