Philippine Ferry Tragedy: 5 Dead, 86 Missing After Night Fire

Thu Sep 10 2026 19:31:37 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Ferry fire off Philippine coast leaves five dead and 86 missing as crews battle currents and smoke.

At least five people died and 86 others went missing after the MV June Aster caught fire near Coron in Palawan. The blaze erupted at 18:45 local time, and was still burning the following morning amid strong currents and heavy smoke. Rescue teams recovered 43 survivors, but investigations continue with evidence pointing to an ignition in the cargo hold. The incident marks one of the worst maritime disasters in recent Philippine history, underscoring ongoing safety concerns for inter-island ferries.

Fatal Ferry Fire Off Philippines Leaves 5 Dead, 86 Missing

At least five people were killed and 86 others remain missing after the MV June Aster burst into flames near the tourist destination of Coron in Palawan.

The vessel had 117 passengers and 17 crew aboard when it departed from Manila. The fire erupted at 18:45 local time (10:45 GMT) Wednesday and had not been fully extinguished by 11:00 on Thursday, with strong currents and thick smoke complicating rescue efforts, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

A survivor, Roland Lerma, recounted floating in the sea for two hours before rescue crews reached him. “It was cold. If the rescue had been delayed, I would definitely have died,” he told the BBC.

Video footage shared by the coast guard showed the ship rapidly engulfed by flames, with people pulled from the water into rescue boats. The exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest the fire started in the vessel’s cargo hold. Many passengers were not wearing life vests, according to the guard.

Forty‑three passengers were ultimately rescued, though the extent of injuries is unclear. Seven survivors were taken to a hospital in the neighbouring island of Culion, which has a larger capacity for medical care. A first responder described the disaster as “really heartbreaking”, noting that the ferry was an hour away from its destination when the flames began.

Survivors were ferried to an evacuation centre in Barangay Turda, north of Marcilla, though their medical conditions remain uncertain. Families of missing passengers have posted appeals for information on social media and in the Coast Guard’s Facebook page, with one family searching for a sibling.

Philippine maritime tragedies are common, as the archipelago of 7,100 islands relies heavily on inter‑island ferries for transport. Severe weather and inadequate maintenance have historically contributed to accidents; in 2023, a fire on the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 claimed 31 lives. With 86 missing, the June Aster incident may rank among the worst ferry disasters in recent years.

Additional reporting by Joel Guinto.