At least five people have died and more than 80 remain unaccounted for after a passenger ferry caught fire off the western Philippine island of Palawan, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said 43 people had been rescued as of Thursday, 10 September, after the MV June Aster caught fire while travelling from Manila towards Coron, a popular tourist destination in Palawan.
The ferry had departed from Baseco in Manila and was approaching Coron when the fire broke out at around 6:45pm on Wednesday. According to the vessel’s manifest, there were 117 passengers and 17 crew members on board, bringing the total number of people aboard to 134.
The PCG said the number of people still missing could change as rescue teams continue to verify the manifest and account for those who have been rescued.
Search and Rescue Operation Continues
Rescue teams have deployed several vessels and other assets to search the waters around the ferry. The operation includes coast guard vessels, high-speed response boats, a military vessel, government boats, private volunteers and local fishermen.
The PCG has also issued a radio appeal to nearby vessels, asking them to watch for passengers who may have entered the water. Coastal communities have been alerted in case survivors reach shore.
“We are continuing search and rescue operations,” Coast Guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said.
Rescuers are facing difficult conditions as strong currents, large waves and poor weather have complicated the operation. The ferry was initially about four nautical miles, or 7.4 kilometres, from Turda village in Coron when it sent a distress signal.
It was later carried further offshore by strong sea currents, reaching about 7.68 nautical miles, or 14.2 kilometres, from the village.
Reuters reported that rescue teams were also using drift-modelling tools to help identify areas where people may have been carried by currents. Air assets were on standby, subject to weather conditions.
Among those rescued were two Chilean nationals, according to Aileen Ausente, a PCG spokesperson in Palawan.
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Cause of Fire Under Investigation
The fire has since been extinguished, but the MV June Aster remained afloat and listing, with smoke continuing to rise from the damaged vessel. Coast Guard officials said rescuers had not yet been able to enter the ferry because of thick smoke, extreme heat and the risk of explosions.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. One survivor reportedly said the blaze may have started in the vessel’s cargo hold, but authorities have not confirmed the source.
The burned ferry also drifted from its original location overnight as winds and currents moved the vessel, adding to the difficulties faced by rescue teams.
Ferries are an important form of transport in the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands, with millions of people relying on maritime services to travel between provinces.
The country has experienced a number of serious maritime accidents over the years, with previous incidents linked to factors including severe weather, overcrowding and weaknesses in the enforcement of safety regulations.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the latest ferry fire while search and rescue operations remain ongoing.
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