Five dead, dozens missing in Philippines ferry fire
A ferry fire off the coast of Palawan in the Philippines has resulted in at least five deaths, with dozens of passengers still missing. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities work to account for the 134 people listed on the ship's manifest.
Why it matters
Maritime safety remains a critical issue in archipelagic nations like the Philippines, where sea travel is essential but often hazardous.
Coastguard says the ferry had 134 listed passengers and crew when it sank off the coast of Palawan.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info This screengrab of a handout video from the Philippine coastguard taken on Wednesday shows the ferry that caught fire off Palawan [AFP] By AFP and Reuters Published On 10 Sep 2026 10 Sep 2026 At least five people have been killed, and 87 remain missing after a fire broke out on board a ferry in the Philippines, near a popular tourist destination in the province of Palawan, according to the country’s coastguard.
It said that the fire erupted on Wednesday evening on board the M/V June Aster about 2.2km (1.3 miles) offshore, adding that five casualties had been brought ashore.
Video shared by the coastguard on Facebook showed much of the vessel engulfed in flames.
Also covering this story
7 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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