Philippine ferry fire victims may take months to identify

All that remains of the MV June Aster ferry off the coast of Palawan, Philippines, where investigators remain uncertain about the cause of the fatal fire. (EPA Images) Coron authorities revealed on Sunday that it could take weeks or months to identify the victims of the tragedy, as forensic experts begin the laborious process of comparing DNA samples from the charred remains.

Forensic specialist Richard Allan Mangalip of the Philippine National Police explained that some remains were found grouped together in certain areas of the ship, while others were scattered throughout, with the vessel carrying over 130 people when it caught fire. The ferry, en route from Manila to Coron, was expected to take around 20 hours for the journey.

Most of the victims were found in a charred condition, according to Mangalip, who cautioned that authorities cannot provide a definitive timeline for identification due to the massive number of specimens requiring examination. This assessment came a day after rescuers recovered 41 additional remains, increasing the death toll to 76, with 13 people still unaccounted for. Officials stated that further remains may still be discovered since investigators have not yet thoroughly searched flooded sections of the wreck.

Firefighters entered the MV June Aster for the first time on Friday, following the successful extinguishing of the blaze more than a day after it ignited. Images released by the Coast Guard depicted the extent of the devastation inside the ferry, with twisted steel bed frames engulfed in ash. Investigators are still attempting to determine the origin of the fire and are focusing on accessing key sections of the vessel, including the flooded lower decks and the engine room, where crucial evidence might help establish the cause.

According to a statement from the Maritime Industry Authority, survivor accounts indicate that two explosions were heard inside the vessel shortly before the fire broke out. A representative of shipowner Atienza Inter-Island Ferries confirmed at the press conference that the company is cooperating fully with investigators and will continue to assist affected families.

The fire is the latest in a series of deadly maritime accidents in the Philippines, an archipelago comprising more than 7,600 islands, where millions of people depend on ferries and small boats for transportation.