Death Toll Reaches 35 in Philippines Ferry Fire Near Coron

At least 35 people have died and 54 remain missing after a fire tore through the M/V June Aster ferry near the resort town of Coron in Palawan province. The fire erupted Wednesday evening in the cargo hold and spread through the vessel in seconds, according to the coast guard. On Saturday, the first 30 bodies were brought to a port for forensic identification, while five other deaths had been confirmed immediately following the blaze. Forty three people survived the incident, including two Chilean tourists who are recovering in a hospital.

Survivors described a scene of panic where some passengers were unable to secure life jackets before jumping from the ship. The ferry had departed from Manila and was approximately 7.4 kilometers off the village of Turda when the fire occurred. The vessel's manifest listed 134 people, consisting of 117 passengers and 17 crew, though two listed passengers did not board. The ship was also carrying vehicles, including an electric vehicle and a pickup truck.

Authorities are currently searching for the ship's captain to determine potential legal responsibility and negligence. The company that owns the vessel, Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc, stated it is cooperating with the investigation. This incident occurs within a broader history of maritime disasters in the Philippines, which are often attributed to poor maintenance, overcrowding, and inadequate safety enforcement. Center lean reports focused on the human toll and the systemic history of ferry accidents, while a center right lean report emphasized the legal accountability of the captain and the search for the commanding officer.