Ferry Fire Off Palawan Leaves Five Dead, 84 Missing

A fire aboard a passenger ferry in Philippine waters has killed at least five people and left 84 others missing, authorities said, as the charred vessel drifted off the coast of Palawan province.

The MV June Aster was about 4 nautical miles (7.4 kilometres) from the village of Turda, near its destination of Coron, when the fire broke out on Wednesday evening, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. The ferry had departed from Manila.

Footage released by the coast guard showed the heavily damaged vessel still smoking as it drifted, appearing to have moved closer to shore overnight.

Rescuers were able to pull 43 people from the vessel and the surrounding waters, including some who were taken from the sea in darkness as the ferry burned. Efforts to reach those still aboard were hampered on Thursday by thick smoke and intense heat, and the operation was suspended overnight.

The shipping company said in a statement that it was working with the coast guard and maritime authorities to locate the missing passengers and was cooperating fully with the investigation into the cause of the fire. It added that it was assisting everyone who had been on board and their families.

Coron is a well-known tourist destination, drawing visitors for its clear blue waters, limestone cliffs and rock formations. Ferries remain a primary mode of transport across the Philippine archipelago.

Sea accidents are relatively common in the country, attributed to storms, poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding and inconsistent enforcement of safety regulations, particularly in remote provinces.