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At least five people are dead, and more than 85 people are missing after a fire broke out on a passenger ferry in a busy tourist area in the Philippines.
The M/V June Aster caught fire 1.2 nautical miles northeast of the city of Coron at around 18:45 on Wednesday, the country’s coast guard said.
So far, 43 people have been rescued, Philippine Coast Guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab told the Associated Press.
Recordingshared by local authorities showed most of the ship engulfed in flames and survivors being pulled out of the water into lifeboats. Officials were also seen waving life jackets to survivors as they were guided into shallower water.
The Philippine Coast Guard also shared several images of black body bags placed in what appeared to be a port.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, authorities wrote in a Facebook update on Thursday.
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Bad weather and large waves posed challenges to rescue efforts, the Associated Press reported, noting that the ship was drifting at a steady speed.
The ferry was about four nautical miles (7.4 kilometers) from the village of Turda when it sent a distress signal, but strong currents have dragged it to a distance of 7.68 nautical miles (14.2 kilometers) from Turda.
The ferry remained afloat on Thursday, Cayabyab said, with smoke still billowing from the charred vessel during the day.
The remains of the ferry MV June Aster are seen following a fire that broke out on the ship in the waters of Palawan, Philippines, on September 10, 2026.
Philippine Coast Guard/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images
Cayabyab said authorities were still working to confirm reports that there were two foreigners on board the ship, checking the names on the manifest and coordinating with local officials and the shipping company on the identities of the dead, survivors and those still missing.
According to the AP, the manifest said 134 people were on board: 117 passengers and 17 crew. The ship is capable of carrying 306 passengers and 27 crew members.
Rescuers had attempted to board the ship, but thick smoke made it difficult to approach.
“Our goal now is to enter the ship,” Cayabyab said.
It is not clear what caused the fire or where it started on the ferry, he also explained that one of the survivors said that the fire may have started in the cargo hold.
The Philippine Coast Guard is coordinating with shipping companies and maritime authorities to get more details, Cayabyab said.
Search and rescue efforts were suspended on Thursday evening local time and were scheduled to resume in the morning, he added.
The survivor reported a loud explosion, he told the AP, which was immediately followed by smoke and fire, he added.
“According to the testimony of survivors, everything happened quickly; within seconds the fire spread.”
The Philippine Coast Guard joined military vessels, other government vessels, volunteers and fishermen in search and rescue operations on Thursday.
Radio calls were also made to nearby ships to alert passengers who might be in the water. The Philippine Coast Guard also coordinates with coastal villages if there are passengers stranded on land.
The ferry had departed from Manila and was close to its destination of Coron in Palawan province when it caught fire. The overnight trip takes about 13 hours.
Coron, where the ship is headed, is a popular tourist destination because of its clear waters, jagged cliffs and distinct rock formations.
— with files from the Associated Press
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
