5 dead, 86 missing as ferry catches fire off Palawan
A passenger ferry, the MV June Aster, caught fire off the coast of Palawan, Philippines, resulting in at least five deaths and 86 missing persons. Search and rescue operations are currently underway to locate the remaining passengers and crew.
Why it matters
This is a major maritime disaster requiring urgent humanitarian response and investigation into safety protocols.
WAITING Policemen and villagers in Coron, Palawan, wait for updates as search and rescue operations continue on Thursdayfor the more than 80 missing passengers and crew of MV June Aster. The ferry caught fire on Wednesday night, killing at leastfive. - Photo from Philippine Coast Guard PUERTO PRINCESA CITY - At least five people were killed and 86 remain missing after a fire broke out on a passenger ferry as it was nearing the tourist town of Coron in Palawan province on Wednesday night, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Thursday.
The blaze broke out on MV June Aster past 6 p.m. Wednesday while the vessel was about 2.2 kilometers offshore northeast of Coron's Barangay Marcilla. Video shared by the PCG on Facebook showed the vessel completely engulfed in flames.
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