A tragic incident occurred off the coast of the Philippines when a fire broke out on the passenger ferry June Aster, resulting in at least five fatalities. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is actively engaged in search and recovery operations for additional missing passengers. The ferry departed from Manila on Wednesday and was en route to Coron, Busuanga Island, carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members when the fire ignited around 6:45 PM, approximately one nautical mile from Marcilla.
Emergency responders, including multiple units from the PCG and commercial vessels from Coron, rushed to the scene as the fire raged on. Videos released by the PCG depicted the intensity of the blaze, with parts of the hull glowing red in the dark night. As of now, five bodies have been recovered, and 42 individuals were rescued. However, the total number of missing persons remains uncertain, potentially affecting a significant number based on the ferry’s manifest.
Search efforts continued through the night, with authorities investigating the cause of the fire. The situation remains critical as the PCG works diligently to account for all passengers involved in this devastating maritime incident.
