Five people were confirmed dead and more than 80 remained missing after a fire broke out aboard the MV June Aster in waters off Coron, Palawan, in the western Philippines on Wednesday night, according to the Philippine coast guard.
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Key facts
- Five people confirmed dead in early counting, the Philippine coast guard said.
- More than 80 people were reported missing.
- Forty-three people were rescued from the MV June Aster.
- The fire broke out off Coron, Palawan, on Wednesday night.
- Footage showed flames engulfing parts of the vessel.
A fire aboard a passenger ferry off the western Philippines has left five people dead and more than 80 missing, the Philippine coast guard said, in one of the country’s latest maritime disasters.
The blaze broke out aboard the MV June Aster in waters off Coron, Palawan, on Wednesday night, according to the coast guard. Forty-three people were rescued from the vessel.
Footage of the incident showed flames engulfing parts of the ferry, while responders were seen placing victims in body bags, according to reporting on the disaster.
The death toll of five was described as an early count, and authorities said more than 80 people were still unaccounted for as rescue efforts continued. The final figures could change as the search progresses.
The Philippine coast guard has led the response to the fire off Palawan island. The cause of the blaze has not yet been established in the information released so far.
Why it matters
Ferries are a vital means of transport across the many islands of the Philippines, and maritime accidents there have repeatedly caused significant loss of life. With more than 80 people still missing, the scale of this disaster may grow as search and rescue operations continue.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the Philippines ferry fire?
Five people were confirmed dead in early counting, the Philippine coast guard said, with more than 80 still missing.
How many people were rescued from the MV June Aster?
Forty-three people were rescued from the vessel, according to the Philippine coast guard.
Where did the ferry fire happen?
The fire broke out aboard the MV June Aster in waters off Coron, Palawan, in the western Philippines, on Wednesday night.
Timeline
- Family members wait after deadly Philippines ferry fire
Al Jazeera: Dozens of passengers are missing after a fire tore through a ferry in the Philippines, killing at least 5 people.
- Drone video shows aftermath of deadly ferry fire off the Philippines
Al Jazeera: Drone video from the Philippine Coast Guard shows smoke rising from the burned out MV June Aster off Palawan.
- Deadly Philippines ferry fire triggers search for scores of missing
The Guardian World: Multiple search and rescue vessels deployed after blaze off Palawan island leaves at least five dead, says coast guard A large-scale search and rescue operation is under way off the western Philippine island of Palawan on Thursday after a passenger ferry caught fire, killing fi
- At least five dead and dozens missing after fire on Philippines ferry
Sky News: At least five people have been killed and dozens are missing after a fire on a passenger ferry off the Philippines.
- At least five dead and more than 80 missing after fire on Philippines ferry
Sky News: At least five people have been killed and more than 80 are missing after a fire on a passenger ferry off the western Philippines.
- Five dead and 86 missing as 'heartbreaking' fire breaks out on Philippines ferry
BBC World: The fire broke out as the vessel nearing its destination at the tourist hotspot of Coron in Palawan.
- Five dead, dozens missing in Philippines ferry fire
Al Jazeera: Coastguard says the ferry had 134 listed passengers and crew when it sank off the coast of Palawan.
- Several dead, dozens missing after ferry fire in Philippines tourist spot
Al Jazeera: Video from the Philippine Coast Guard shows a ferry engulfed in flames near Palawan.
- Deadly Philippines ferry fire leaves scores of people missing
The Guardian World: Forty-three people rescued and early death toll stands at five after blaze aboard MV June Aster in waters off Coron, Palawan, says coast guard Five people were confirmed dead in early counting and more than 80 were missing after a ferry caught fire off Palawan island in the w