Missing passengers in Coron sea vessel tragedy lowered to 8

MANILA, Philippines - The number of missing passengers from a ferry that caught fire while sailing in the waters off Coron, Palawan over a week ago has been lowered from 12 to eight.

This developed after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed that there were four passengers listed in the ticket manifest who did not board the M/V June Aster in Manila on Sept. 8.

PCG spokesperson Cmdre. Noemie Cayabyab said that on Wednesday, the PCG located and talked to the four "missing" passengers.

Cayabyab said three of the four passengers said they were supposed to board the June Aster, but they mistakenly booked the wrong trip, which was Manila to Coron instead of Coron to Manila.

"The fourth passenger booked another ticket for a different vessel, which departed Manila for Coron on Sept. 5," Cayabyab said.