Philippines begins identifying victims from ferry fire as dozens still missing
Philippine authorities are working to identify victims of a ferry fire that resulted in at least 35 deaths and dozens of missing persons. Investigators are currently looking into reports of explosions heard on the vessel before the fire began.
Why it matters
This is a significant maritime safety incident that raises questions about vessel maintenance and emergency response protocols in the region.
Philippine authorities began the painstaking process of identifying victims from a ferry fire on Saturday (September 12, 2026), a day after responders recovered bodies from the burned-out vessel, raising the death toll to at least 35 and leaving more than 50 people missing.
The bodies were transported to a port in Coron town, where temporary tents were set up for forensic teams to process and identify the victims.
Near the port, some family members anxiously watched as responders in protective suits carried black body bags from a Coast Guard vessel to temporary tents.
One of them was Anelyn Magbanua, 37, whose husband was returning to Coron after visiting their children in Manila when the ferry, which was carrying more than 130 people, caught fire near the end of its more than 20-hour journey.
Also covering this story
5 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Search resumes for more than 80 people missing in Philippines after ferry fire
Death toll from Philippines ferry fire rises to 35, as officials warn toll will grow
Philippines ferry fire death toll rises to 35 after bodies recovered
Philippine rescuers board ferry 40 hours after blaze began
5 dead, 86 missing as ferry catches fire off Palawan
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