{
  "id": 7081886,
  "title": "Search for June Aster victims continues as death toll in Philippine ferry disaster hits 76, ‘some were found in an embrace’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/search-for-june-aster-victims-continues-as-death-toll-in-philippine",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T07:46:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2026/09/13/search-for-june-aster-victims-continues-as-death-toll-in-philippine-ferry-disaster-hits-76-some-were-found-in-an-embrace/235047"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The search for victims of the tragic M/V June Aster disaster in the Philippines continues as the death toll rises to 76. The fire that engulfed the 24-year-old ferry, locally known as a \"roro\" for its roll-on, roll-off design, claimed the lives of nearly all 76 passengers and crew on board. Most of the deceased were found aboard the grounded vessel, with 41 additional bodies recovered on Sunday and bound for a dock where forensic investigators awaited them.\n\nThe fire and explosion in the ship's hold occurred \"in seconds,\" and the burnt-out remains of the ferry are now a charred, twisted wreck with ash covering its decks. The high waters of Coron, Palawan, still pose challenges for search and rescue efforts, leaving about 13 people missing, including the ship's captain.\n\nThe coast guard expects the DNA identification process to take \"weeks or months\" due to the grave condition of the victims, with some found in an embrace, as if clutching each other in their final moments. This disaster highlights the ongoing history of tragedies involving inter-island ferries in the Philippines, where many operate due to their cost and limited regulation. The ship's owner, Dindo Macalinao, acknowledged the ongoing investigation, with no immediate blame assigned.",
  "summary": "CORON, Sept 13 — The bodies of 41 victims of the worst Philippine ferry disaster in over a decade made their way t...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Philippine rescuers pull more victims from charred ferry",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/philippine-rescuers-pull-more-victims-from-charred-ferry",
        "published": "2026-09-13T07:05:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}