Tragic Ferry Fire in the Philippines Leaves Five Dead and Dozens Missing
By Editor • September 10, 2026 • 1 min read
A devastating fire aboard the M/V June Aster ferry near Palawan, Philippines, has resulted in at least five fatalities and left 87 individuals unaccounted for, according to the coast guard. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, approximately 2.2 kilometers offshore, prompting immediate rescue efforts.
As of Thursday, teams from the coast guard have successfully rescued 42 people, including 38 passengers and four crew members. However, concerns remain high as officials warn that the numbers could fluctuate as they continue their search and rescue operations. Coast guard Captain Noemi Cayabyab emphasized the fluid nature of the situation, stating, "This is live data and may change as our search and rescue operations are ongoing."
Video footage released by the coast guard captured the horrific scene, showing the ferry engulfed in flames. The ship's manifest indicated that a total of 134 individuals were onboard at the time of the fire, leading to fears for the safety of those still unaccounted for. Efforts to extinguish the blaze are still in progress as authorities work to gather further information from the rescued passengers.
Source: www.france24.com
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