Rescuers faced challenges accessing a passenger ferry that was engulfed in flames off the western Philippines, resulting in five deaths and 86 individuals unaccounted for, according to officials. Search and rescue efforts were temporarily suspended at nightfall but were scheduled to resume in the morning.
Coast guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab disclosed that 43 people had been successfully rescued from the burning ferry, MV June Aster, which was adrift and tilting near Coron following the fire outbreak on Wednesday evening. Smoke continued to emanate from the scorched vessel by midday Thursday.
Cayabyab mentioned ongoing efforts to verify the presence of two foreign nationals onboard by cross-referencing the manifest and collaborating with local authorities and the shipping company to ascertain the identities of those deceased, saved, and missing.
The ferry, with a capacity for 306 passengers and 27 crew members, departed from Manila and was nearing its destination in Palawan province when the fire was reported around 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday. Despite attempts by rescuers to access the vessel, thick smoke hindered their progress. Cayabyab emphasized the importance of boarding the ship to assess the situation.
Later that evening, search and rescue operations were temporarily halted but were slated to recommence in the morning, Cayabyab added. The cause of the fire remained uncertain, with one survivor suggesting it may have originated in the cargo hold. The coast guard was liaising with relevant authorities to gather more information on the incident.
Rescue teams contended with unfavorable weather conditions, with a coast guard ship, military vessel, response boats, and other maritime entities, including volunteers and fishermen, participating in the search efforts. The coast guard also issued radio alerts to nearby vessels to aid in locating ferry passengers and coordinated with coastal communities in case any individuals drifted ashore.
Images from the rescue operation depicted coast guard personnel distributing life jackets to survivors amidst the burning ferry. Passengers were transferred to smaller boats while battling rough seas. The ferry, initially 7.4 kilometers from Turda village, drifted to 14.2 kilometers due to strong currents.
Coron, renowned for its picturesque landscapes, is a sought-after tourist spot characterized by pristine waters, limestone formations, and cliffs. Ferries are a common mode of transportation in the Philippines, where maritime incidents occur frequently, often attributed to inclement weather, vessel maintenance issues, overcrowding, and lax enforcement of safety protocols, particularly in remote areas.
Notably, the Philippines has a history of tragic maritime disasters, such as the 1987 sinking of the ferry Dona Paz following a collision with a fuel tanker, claiming over 4,300 lives in one of the deadliest peacetime maritime tragedies globally.