35 Dead and 54 Missing After Fire on Philippine Ferry

A fire on the Philippine ferry MV June Aster has killed 35 people. The fire started Wednesday night as the ship was reaching Coron in Palawan province after a 22-hour trip from Manila. Rescue teams saved 43 people, but 54 people are still missing.

Coast guard teams could not go inside the ship until Friday because the smoke and heat were still dangerous. Commodore Noemie Cayabyab, who speaks for the coast guard, said most of the bodies were found in the sleeping area.

Survivors said the fire spread very quickly. At a rescue center, Lira Daco waited for news about her missing 20-year-old daughter. "It's painful to think that your child was asking for help while she was burning alive," she said.

The official list of people on board had 134 names: 117 passengers and 17 crew. The 53-meter ferry could carry 306 passengers and 27 crew, so it was not full. Investigators do not yet know the cause, but early talks with survivors suggest the fire began in the cargo hold, the part of the ship where goods are kept. Some passengers were not wearing life jackets. Investigators are now checking the list, the way goods were loaded, and how the crew acted.

Ferries are a common way to travel in the Philippines, but accidents happen often because of storms, old boats, and too many people. In 2023, another fire on the Lady Mary Joy 3 killed 31 people along almost the same route. This is why ferry safety is still a big problem.