In brief
A ferry that departed Manila on Wednesday caught fire near Coron, a tourist hotspot in Palawan. The Philippine Coast Guard recovered 41 bodies from the wreckage, raising the death toll to 76. Survivors count 43, many hospitalized, while 13 people remain unaccounted for. The blaze started in a cargo hold and spread rapidly, leaving passengers with little chance to don lifejackets.
The Philippine Coast Guard reports that 41 bodies were recovered from the wreckage of the MV June Aster, bringing the death toll to 76.
More than 130 people were aboard when the ferry erupted on Wednesday as it approached Coron, a popular tourist destination.
Authorities say 43 survivors remain; many are receiving medical care, while 13 individuals have not yet been located.
Recovery efforts were delayed due to toxic fumes and lingering heat, preventing crew access until Friday.
Coast Guard officials are prioritizing victim identification and determining the cause of the blaze.
Local tourism officials are requesting relatives to assist with identification via personal items and DNA testing.
Survivor accounts describe a loud explosion, followed quickly by smoke and fire, and a panicked scramble that left little time for life‑jackets.
The ferry, built in 2002, held valid safety certificates and passed an enforcement inspection in March, yet investigators are probing possible manifest discrepancies, cargo handling, and crew emergency protocols.
The vessel carried 117 passengers and 17 crew members, and its operator pledged full cooperation with the inquiry.
