Deadly Ferry Fire Off Philippines Leaves Dozens Missing

A fire aboard a passenger ferry near the western Philippines has resulted in the disappearance of dozens of individuals, with at least five confirmed dead. Coast Guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab reported that 43 people have been rescued as of now. An extensive search operation continues for those who remain unaccounted for.

The ferry, named MV June Aster, remains afloat but is listing after the fire was extinguished. The blaze began on Wednesday evening and by midday Thursday, smoke was still visible rising from the charred vessel.

“We are continuing search-and-rescue operations,” stated Cayabyab. A Coast Guard ship, high-speed response boats, a military vessel, other government boats, private volunteers, and local fishermen are all part of the effort. Additionally, the Coast Guard has issued a radio alert to nearby vessels and has coordinated with coastal communities in case any passengers have drifted to shore.

As part of the rescue efforts, Coast Guard personnel provided life jackets to survivors and helped them into smaller boats that transported them to safety. The ferry, which sailed from Manila and was headed to Coron in Palawan province, caught fire near its destination around 6:45 p.m. Wednesday. Challenging weather and large waves complicated the rescue mission.

The MV June Aster was about 4 nautical miles from Coron’s village of Turda when it sent out a distress signal. However, strong sea currents later moved it to 7.68 nautical miles away. Rescuers are now employing drift-modeling tools to estimate areas where currents may have carried those in the water, according to Reuters.

Cayabyab mentioned the cause of the fire remains unknown, but a survivor suggested it might have started in the cargo hold. The Coast Guard is working with the ship’s company and maritime authorities to gather more information. The ferry carried 134 people, including 117 passengers and 17 crew members. No information is presently available regarding foreigners aboard the vessel.

Ferries are commonly used for transportation across the Philippine archipelago. Unfortunately, sea accidents are frequent due to factors like severe weather, poor vessel maintenance, overcrowding, and insufficient safety regulation enforcement, particularly in remote regions.

One of the deadliest maritime disasters occurred in 1987, when the ferry Dona Paz sank after colliding with a fuel tanker in the central Philippines, resulting in the deaths of more than 4,300 people.