PALAWAN, Philippines â The death toll from the MV June Aster ferry fire off Coron has risen to 35, while 53 people remain missing as Philippine authorities continue recovery, identification and search operations. The Philippine Coast Guard said 43 people survived the September 9 disaster.
Death toll reaches at least 35: Philippine authorities have begun identifying victims recovered from the burned-out ferry off Palawan, while more than 50 people remain missing following the deadly September 9 fire.
Latest confirmed developments:
⢠At least 35 people have died
⢠More than 50 people remain missing
⢠43 survivors have been confirmed by authorities
⢠The ferry was carrying more than 130 people when the fire broke out near the end of its journey
The recovered bodies were taken to Coron, where temporary tents have been established for forensic teams to examine and identify the victims. Families have gathered near the port as authorities continue the identification process.
Firefighters entered the vessel for the first time on Friday after the blaze was extinguished more than a day after it began. The Philippine Coast Guard said burned remains were discovered in the economy accommodation section, where images showed twisted steel bed frames and extensive fire damage.
The Maritime Industry Authority, citing survivor accounts, said two explosions were heard inside the ferry shortly before the fire erupted. Investigators have not yet determined the official cause of the blaze.
Questions also remain over the ferry captain. Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said authorities had received information that the captain was alive, but his name was not included on the confirmed list of 43 survivors.
Important: Search, recovery and forensic identification operations remain active. The number of missing people and confirmed deaths could change as authorities reconcile passenger records and identify recovered remains.
Death toll rises to 35: Philippine Coast Guard teams recovered 30 bodies from the burned MV June Aster on Friday, sharply increasing the confirmed death toll.
Latest confirmed figures:
⢠35 people confirmed dead
⢠43 survivors
⢠53 people still missing
⢠117 passengers and 17 crew were listed on the ferry’s manifest
Authorities said the fire was declared extinguished at about 10:15 a.m. on September 11. Recovery teams later found burned remains in the vessel’s economy accommodation area.
Important: Search and identification work remains active, and official figures may be revised as passenger records and recovered remains are verified.
The passenger and cargo ferry had travelled from Manila and was nearing Coron, Palawan, when the fire erupted on the evening of September 9.
The vessel was close to the end of its voyage when passengers reported loud explosions followed by smoke and flames spreading rapidly through the ship.
Thirty bodies recovered from MV June Aster
Rescuers were initially unable to safely enter parts of the ferry because of extreme heat, dense smoke and dangerous conditions inside the vessel.
Once teams gained access on Friday, they recovered 30 bodies, bringing the confirmed death toll from five to 35.
The Philippine Coast Guard said burned remains were observed in the economy accommodation section during a safety assessment. The recovered bodies are being handled through formal identification procedures involving the Coast Guard, police and other agencies.
53 people remain missing
The latest Coast Guard briefing on September 12 listed 53 people as missing, alongside 35 confirmed deaths and 43 survivors.
The ferry’s original manifest listed 134 passengers and crew, including 117 passengers and 17 crew members. Authorities have been reviewing the manifest because some people listed for the journey were later reported not to have boarded.
The missing figure should not be treated as a confirmed death toll while search teams and investigators continue checking identities and passenger records.
Search continues off Coron, Palawan
Coast Guard vessels and other rescue teams continue operating around the ferry and surrounding waters as authorities try to account for everyone connected to the voyage.
Searches at sea can become more difficult as currents move people and debris away from the original emergency site. A similar challenge was seen during a Cook Strait ferry man-overboard search, where crews had to work across changing conditions on open water.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered authorities to use available resources for rescue and recovery work while providing assistance to families affected by the disaster.
Survivors reported explosions before flames spread
Survivors described hearing loud explosions shortly before the fire spread rapidly through the ferry. Earlier accounts directed attention toward the cargo hold, although investigators have not confirmed where or how the blaze began.
The Maritime Industry Authority has cited survivor reports of successive explosions inside the vessel. Those accounts form part of the investigation but do not yet establish the official cause.
Some survivors described a chaotic escape as passengers rushed toward exits and tried to reach life jackets before entering the water.
Medical treatment continues for survivors
Several rescued passengers required hospital treatment after escaping the burning vessel and spending time in the water.
Earlier medical information showed that some survivors remained hospitalized, including patients reported in critical condition. Families searching for relatives were provided emergency contact numbers through local authorities, according to GMA News’ report on the Coron emergency response.
Authorities continue coordinating medical care, family assistance and identification work as the scale of the disaster becomes clearer.
Cause of the ferry fire remains under investigation
Investigators are examining the vessel, cargo, safety systems and crew response to determine how the fire started and why it spread so quickly.
No official finding has established an electrical fault, mechanical failure, negligence or another specific cause. Survivor accounts of explosions remain evidence to be assessed rather than a final explanation.
The disaster follows other major maritime emergencies requiring large-scale searches, including the Filo Jet ferry disaster off northern Cyprus, where rescue teams also searched for people missing at sea.
Operator cooperating with authorities
Atienza Interisland Ferries, the company operating the MV June Aster, has said it is cooperating with authorities and assisting people affected by the disaster.
The Coast Guard has also deployed precautionary oil-spill equipment around the vessel while recovery work continues. Authorities said an assessment had not identified an oil sheen around the ferry at the time of the latest update.
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Recovery and identification remain the priority
Recovery teams are now focused on locating those still unaccounted for and identifying the remains already recovered from the ferry.
Authorities have asked families to rely on verified official information while the Coast Guard, police and other agencies complete identification and reconcile passenger records.
As of September 12, the latest Philippine Coast Guard figures stand at 35 dead, 43 survivors and 53 people missing after the MV June Aster ferry fire off Coron, Palawan. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
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