Rescuers faced challenges on Thursday as they attempted to access a passenger ferry that had ignited and burned through the night off the western Philippines, resulting in five fatalities and 86 individuals unaccounted for, according to officials. Search and rescue operations were paused by nightfall and scheduled to resume the following morning.
Coast guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab mentioned that 43 individuals had been saved thus far. The ferry, named MV June Aster, remained afloat but tilted near Coron after the fire erupted on Wednesday evening. Smoke continued to emanate from the scorched vessel by midday Thursday.
Cayabyab indicated that efforts were ongoing to verify the presence of two foreign nationals onboard by cross-referencing the manifest and coordinating with local authorities and the shipping company to identify the deceased, survivors, and missing persons.
The ferry, which had a capacity for 306 passengers and 27 crew members, set sail from Manila and was close to reaching Coron in Palawan province when the fire was reported around 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
Rescuers encountered difficulty accessing the ship due to dense smoke, with Cayabyab stating, “Our goal now is to enter the ship to assess the situation.” Search and rescue operations were suspended on Thursday evening and set to recommence in the morning.
The cause of the fire remained unclear, with one survivor suggesting it may have originated in the cargo hold. The coast guard was collaborating with relevant authorities to gather more information.
Rescuers contended with adverse weather conditions, with a coast guard vessel, high-speed response boats, a military ship, and other government vessels, volunteers, and fishermen participating in the search and rescue operation. The coast guard issued a radio broadcast to nearby ships to aid in locating ferry passengers and coordinated with coastal communities in case any individuals drifted ashore.
Coron, renowned for its pristine waters and geological formations, serves as a popular tourist spot. In the Philippine archipelago, ferries are commonly utilized for transportation, although maritime incidents occur frequently due to inclement weather, vessel maintenance issues, overcrowding, and lax safety enforcement, particularly in remote regions.
One of the most tragic maritime disasters in peacetime history occurred in 1987 when the ferry Dona Paz collided with a fuel tanker in the central Philippines, resulting in over 4,300 fatalities.
