Five dead, dozens missing after 'heartbreaking' fire breaks out on Philippines ferry

A tragic ferry fire off the western Philippine island of Palawan has resulted in at least five confirmed deaths and left over 80 people missing. The M/V June Aster caught fire on Wednesday evening, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation that continued into Thursday. Of the 134 individuals listed on the vessel's manifest, comprising 117 passengers and 17 crew members, 43 have been successfully rescued so far.

Philippine Coast Guard teams, supported by military and private assets, are actively searching for survivors, utilizing drift-modeling tools to track potential locations where individuals may have been carried by currents. However, thick smoke continues to emanate from the charred ferry, hindering rescuers from boarding the vessel due to extreme heat and the risk of further explosions.

The incident occurred as the ferry was traveling from Manila towards Coron, Palawan. While the cause of the blaze remains under investigation, one survivor reported hearing a "loud explosion" originating from the cargo hold before the fire rapidly spread. The burned vessel has also drifted significantly from its original position, adding complexity to the ongoing rescue efforts.