Five Dead, More Than 80 Missing After Ferry Catches Fire in Philippines
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Five people died and more than 80 remained missing after a ferry caught fire off Palawan island in the western Philippines on Wednesday night, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Thursday.
43 Rescued After Ferry Catches Fire
Forty-three people were rescued after the fire broke out aboard the MV June Aster in waters off Coron, Palawan, the coast guard said.
Video footage released by the coast guard showed flames engulfing sections of the vessel as rescuers worked at the scene. Responders were also seen placing bodies in body bags.
More Than 130 People Listed on Manifest
Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab told DZXL radio that the ferry's manifest listed 117 passengers and 17 crew members.
Based on the reported number of survivors and fatalities, more than 80 people remained unaccounted for. Cayabyab said the figures could change as rescue operations continued.
Ferry Was Bound for Coron
The ferry had departed from Baseco in Manila and was travelling towards Coron when the fire broke out, Cayabyab said.
The cause of the fire was under investigation, the coast guard said.
