At least 35 people have died in a ferry fire in the Philippines that broke out on Wednesday, with 54 passengers still missing, according to reports.
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Key facts
- The death toll from a Philippines ferry fire has risen to at least 35.
- Five people were initially confirmed dead before 30 more bodies were recovered.
- The coast guard carried out the recovery operation.
- The fire broke out on Wednesday.
- At least 54 people remain missing, according to Sky News.
The number of people confirmed dead in a passenger ferry fire in the Philippines has risen to at least 35, according to the Coast Guard, after dozens more bodies were recovered following the Wednesday disaster.
Five people were initially confirmed dead in the aftermath of the fire. The Coast Guard subsequently recovered a further 30 bodies, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 35, Al Jazeera reported.
Sky News reported that 54 people remain missing following the blaze, raising fears that the death toll could climb further as search and recovery efforts continue.
The fire broke out on the passenger ferry on Wednesday. The available reports did not specify the cause of the blaze or the exact location and route of the vessel.
Ferries are a common mode of transport across the Philippines, an archipelago made up of thousands of islands. Details on the number of passengers on board and the response effort were not immediately clear from the reports.
Why it matters
Ferry travel is a vital part of daily life across the Philippines' thousands of islands, and maritime disasters can carry a heavy human cost. With dozens still missing, the toll from this fire may rise further, underscoring ongoing concerns about passenger safety at sea.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the Philippines ferry fire?
At least 35 people have been confirmed dead. Five were initially confirmed killed before the Coast Guard recovered 30 more bodies.
How many people are still missing?
According to Sky News, 54 people remain missing following the ferry fire.
When did the ferry fire happen?
The fire broke out on the passenger ferry on Wednesday, according to the reports.
Timeline
- Death toll from Philippine ferry fire rises to 76
Al Jazeera: The Philippine Coast Guard says 41 more bodies have been recovered from the M/V June Aster, with 13 people still missing
- Death toll from Philippines ferry fire rises to 76, with more still missing
BBC World: Access to the burnt-out boat has been slowed by toxic fumes and lingering heat, the country's coast guard says.
- Death toll from Philippines ferry fire rises to 35, as officials warn toll will grow
The Guardian World: The deadly fire had begun in the ferry’s cargo hold, then tore through the ship within seconds The bodies of passengers killed in a ferry fire off the Philippines arrived at a port near the resort town of Coron, Palawan, on Saturday morning, as the country’s coast guard warned th
- Death toll from Philippines ferry fire climbs to 35, with dozens still missing
BBC World: Access to the burnt-out boat has been slowed by toxic fumes and lingering heat, the country's coast guard says.
- Deaths in Philippines ferry fire rises to 76
Sky News: A fire that broke out on a passenger ferry in the Philippines has killed at least 76 people, while 13 are still missing.
- Deaths in Philippines ferry fire rises to at least 35
Sky News: A fire which broke out on a passenger ferry in the Philippines has killed at least 35 people, while 54 are still missing.
- Philippines ferry fire death toll rises to 35 after bodies recovered
Al Jazeera: Coast Guard says 30 more bodies recovered after five people were initially confirmed dead in Wednesday's disaster.