Rescuers pull more bodies from burned Philippine ferry as death toll hits 76
A passenger ferry fire off the coast of the Philippines has resulted in at least 76 deaths, with 13 people still missing. Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze and potential negligence by the crew, as survivors report the fire spread too quickly to deploy safety equipment.
Why it matters
This incident highlights ongoing maritime safety concerns in the Philippine archipelago, where ferry travel is essential but often plagued by poor regulation and aging infrastructure.
Rescuers retrieved more remains from a passenger ferry that was gutted by fire off the Philippines, bringing the death toll Saturday to 76 with 13 missing. Forty-three people survived the fire Wednesday night, among 132 on board. The ferry sailed from the capital, Manila, and was some 24 miles from its destination in Coron, in southwestern Palawan province, when the fire erupted. The cause has not been determined, but a coast guard spokesperson quoted a survivor as saying it may have started in the cargo hold. The survivor recounted hearing a blast, with smoke and fire quickly spreading, fanned by the winds, officials said. Tents were put up in the Port of Borac in Coron, where body bags were brought down from a ship that transported them from the ferry.
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