Death Toll Rises to 76 in Philippines Ferry Fire, More Remains Recovered

The death toll from a devastating ferry fire off the coast of the Philippines has tragically risen to 76, as rescue teams continue to recover additional remains from the charred vessel. The M/V June Aster, which was traveling from Manila to Coron in Palawan, caught fire on Wednesday night, September 9, 2026, leaving 13 people still unaccounted for. Only 43 individuals survived the inferno from the 132 people initially believed to be on board.

The fire reportedly originated in the cargo hold and spread rapidly through the ship, giving passengers little to no time to retrieve life jackets as the blaze intensified within seconds. Forensic specialists have since begun the arduous process of identifying the recovered bodies, which are being transported to Coron, Palawan, where temporary graves have been prepared. Authorities have launched a multi-agency investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and to assess potential liabilities, including the actions of the ship's captain and crew.