After a fire broke out on the MV June Aster on Wednesday night while it was traveling from Manila to the island of Coron, Philippine rescuers finally boarded the battered ferry 40 hours later. According to the Coast Guard, the fire began in the cargo hold, where containers were stored, and quickly spread to the passenger areas.
Five people were found dead. While 43 passengers have been rescued and many are receiving medical treatment, 84 people remain missing. The Coast Guard has noted that two passengers whose names were on the manifest did not board the ferry, which likely contributed to the lower headcount.
Rescuers struggled to board the hull because of intense heat and visible, thick smoke that posed a lethal risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The crew finally entered at about 11:30 local time (03:30 GMT) on Friday, but the toxic fumes delayed the operation.
The Coast Guard has increased its search area, deploying one of its largest vessels and broadcasting emergency radio calls to nearby ships. Divers and nurses are also part of the relief effort. An aerial survey of the waters around the site was carried out to locate additional victims.
Search operations will resume firefighting in the cargo compartment, and investigators are looking into possible manifest discrepancies, cargo loading integrity, and crew emergency protocols. The ferry’s operator, Atienza Interisland Ferries, has pledged full cooperation with the inquiry and stated its commitment to accounting for all passengers.
Meanwhile, local divers in Coron are on standby, ready to assist the Coast Guard as instructions arrive. The incident has heightened concerns over maritime safety in the Philippines, especially given the ferry’s recent valid safety certificates and passage of an enforcement inspection last March.
Rescue efforts continue as the charred remains drift with flames burned out, a stark reminder of the deadly blaze that continues to haunt the waters near Coron.
Five people were found dead. While 43 passengers have been rescued and many are receiving medical treatment, 84 people remain missing. The Coast Guard has noted that two passengers whose names were on the manifest did not board the ferry, which likely contributed to the lower headcount.
Rescuers struggled to board the hull because of intense heat and visible, thick smoke that posed a lethal risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The crew finally entered at about 11:30 local time (03:30 GMT) on Friday, but the toxic fumes delayed the operation.
The Coast Guard has increased its search area, deploying one of its largest vessels and broadcasting emergency radio calls to nearby ships. Divers and nurses are also part of the relief effort. An aerial survey of the waters around the site was carried out to locate additional victims.
Search operations will resume firefighting in the cargo compartment, and investigators are looking into possible manifest discrepancies, cargo loading integrity, and crew emergency protocols. The ferry’s operator, Atienza Interisland Ferries, has pledged full cooperation with the inquiry and stated its commitment to accounting for all passengers.
Meanwhile, local divers in Coron are on standby, ready to assist the Coast Guard as instructions arrive. The incident has heightened concerns over maritime safety in the Philippines, especially given the ferry’s recent valid safety certificates and passage of an enforcement inspection last March.
Rescue efforts continue as the charred remains drift with flames burned out, a stark reminder of the deadly blaze that continues to haunt the waters near Coron.
