Five dead as Palawan ferry fire leaving 87 missing

The scene unfolds as a ferry burns off Coron, Palawan, with five bodies recovered and 42 rescued so far^9,18. After the blaze broke out on the MV June Aster, responders raced to save people while shuttling survivors to smaller boats, a stark image shared by the coast guard^9,25.

The vessel had departed Manila and was bound for Coron when the fire started Wednesday evening, with the manifest listing 134 people on board, including 117 passengers and 17 crew^21,9. The Coast Guard says 43 people have been rescued and the search for the rest continues as crews monitor seas, collect bodies, and review what sparked the fire^3,18.

Officials emphasize that the count may change as rescue operations proceed, and safety rules are under review amid a string of maritime accidents in the region^2,23.

The tragedy highlights the risks of crowded ferries in the Philippines, where weather, maintenance, and enforcement pressures can shape outcomes, and authorities vow to deepen investigations and improve procedures to prevent repeats^15,31.