Rescuers faced challenges on Thursday as they worked to access a passenger ferry that had ignited and burned throughout the night off the western part of the Philippines. The incident resulted in five fatalities and left 86 individuals unaccounted for, according to officials. Search and rescue efforts were temporarily halted at nightfall but were scheduled to resume the following morning.
As of the latest update, 43 individuals have been successfully rescued from the MV June Aster ferry, which remained afloat but was tilting near Coron after the fire erupted on Wednesday evening. Smoke continued to emanate from the vessel well into Thursday afternoon.
Coast guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab mentioned that efforts were ongoing to verify reports suggesting the presence of two foreigners on board. Authorities were cross-referencing the manifest with local government agencies and the shipping company to determine the identities of the deceased, survivors, and missing persons.
Records indicated that the ferry was carrying a total of 134 individuals, with 117 passengers and 17 crew members. Despite having a capacity of accommodating 306 passengers and 27 crew, the vessel had departed from Manila and was nearing its intended destination of Coron in Palawan province when the fire was reported around 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
Rescue teams encountered difficulties accessing the ship due to heavy smoke, with Cayabyab emphasizing the importance of assessing the situation once they managed to board. The cause of the fire remained unknown, with one survivor speculating that it may have initiated in the cargo hold. The coast guard was collaborating with relevant authorities to gather additional information.
In the midst of challenging weather conditions, including rough seas, a coast guard ship, high-speed response boats, a military vessel, and other government watercraft, as well as volunteers and fishermen, joined forces in the search and rescue mission. The coast guard issued radio alerts to nearby vessels and coordinated with coastal communities in case any passengers drifted ashore.
Visuals from the rescue operation on Wednesday night depicted coast guard personnel distributing life jackets to survivors amidst the backdrop of the burning ferry. Stranded passengers were assisted onto smaller boats heading towards shallower waters, while preparations were made for potential casualties at a nearby port.
Coron, known for its picturesque landscapes and tourist appeal, witnessed this unfortunate maritime incident. Ferries play a vital role in transportation across the Philippine archipelago, where sea mishaps are not uncommon due to various factors such as inclement weather, vessel maintenance issues, overcrowding, and lax safety enforcement, particularly in remote regions.
One of the deadliest maritime tragedies in peacetime history occurred in 1987 when the ferry Dona Paz sank following a collision with a fuel tanker in the central Philippines, claiming the lives of over 4,300 individuals.