Rescue operations commenced on the MV June Aster, a passenger-cargo ferry that caught fire while traveling from Manila to Coron in Palawan province. The boarding operation began at approximately 11:30 local time on Friday, more than 40 hours after the fire started on Wednesday evening. Rescuers faced significant obstacles including toxic fumes and extreme heat that prevented earlier access to the vessel’s interior.
As of Friday morning, five fatalities had been confirmed, 43 people had been rescued and were receiving hospital treatment, and 84 individuals remained unaccounted for. This figure was revised downward from an earlier count of 86 after authorities determined that two passengers whose names appeared on the ship’s manifest had not actually boarded. Preliminary interviews with survivors suggested the fire originated in the cargo hold, and investigators noted that some passengers were not wearing life vests.
The Philippine Coast Guard expanded search efforts beyond the immediate disaster site, deploying one of its largest vessels and conducting aerial surveys of surrounding waters. Radio broadcasts were issued to alert other vessels in the area, and rescue teams included divers and medical personnel. A local diver in Coron reported being on standby awaiting further instructions from the coast guard.
One survivor, 30-year-old Roland Lerma, described the chaos aboard the vessel as passengers scrambled to evacuate. He recalled being trampled while on the deck floor and subsequently leaping into the sea, where he observed children in the water during the darkness. Lerma credited the swift rescue with saving his life, noting he would have perished from the cold water if assistance had been delayed.
The MV June Aster, constructed in 2002, held valid safety certificates and had passed an enforcement inspection in March. The Philippines’ maritime authority announced an investigation into the incident, examining potential manifest discrepancies, cargo loading procedures, and crew emergency protocols. The vessel’s operator, Atienza Interisland Ferries, stated it would fully cooperate with inquiries and expressed concern for affected families.
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