PALAWAN — A fire broke out on the passenger ferry MV June Aster off the western Philippines, killing at least five people and leaving dozens missing. The Philippine Coast Guard reported that eighty-seven people remain missing following the incident near Palawan province.

Forty-three people were rescued from the vessel after it caught fire while bound for Coron. Other reports indicated that eighty-six people remain missing, reflecting slight discrepancies in initial counts as rescue operations continued.

The ferry carried 134 people, comprising 117 passengers and 17 crew members, when the blaze erupted. The ship had been carrying several motorcycles, an electric car, a forklift, a pick-up van and other goods in its cargo area.

The fire started around 6:45 p.m. local time on Wednesday, according to the incident timeline. A staff member of Atienza Shipping Lines, which owns the MV June Aster, first reported the fire at 18:45 local time on Wednesday.

The ferry sent a distress signal approximately 4 nautical miles off Barangay Turda after the fire began. Strong sea currents dragged the ferry to a distance of 7.68 nautical miles off Turda, complicating the location of the vessel.

Rescuers could not yet enter the vessel due to thick smoke, extreme heat, and explosion risks. Drone footage released by the Coast Guard showed the blackened ferry surrounded by clear blue-green waters, illustrating the severity of the damage.

Search and rescue assets included coast guard ships, high-speed response boats, a military vessel, other government boats, private volunteers, and fishermen. Bad weather and big waves challenged rescuers as they worked to locate survivors in the water.

The coast guard issued a radio broadcast to nearby ships to look out for passengers. The coast guard also coordinated with coastal villages in case passengers drifted to shore, expanding the search perimeter beyond the immediate incident site.

Two Chilean nationals were among the rescued survivors, though there was no immediate information about foreigners on board according to initial reports. Roland Lerma, a survivor of the ferry fire, floated on his back for about two hours before rescuers arrived.

Anelyn Magbanua's husband Marlon was a passenger on the ferry, and she expressed the anguish felt by families of the missing. "I can't describe what I am feeling right now. I have been crying and praying since last night," Magbanua said.

Why It Matters

The incident shows the risks associated with maritime transport in the region, particularly given the vessel's cargo of vehicles and fuel. The large number of missing persons reflects the scale of the disaster and the challenges faced by rescue teams in difficult sea conditions.

The use of advanced planning systems by the Coast Guard demonstrates an evolving approach to search and rescue operations. The discrepancy in missing person counts between the Coast Guard and other reports indicates the fluid nature of the situation as verification processes continue.

Timeline

Also on September 9, 2026, the ferry was bound for Coron in Palawan province, and it carried 134 people, comprising 117 passengers and 17 crew members. The fire started around 6:45 p.m. local time on Wednesday, strong sea currents dragged the ferry to a distance of 7.68 nautical miles off Turda, and the fire was first reported at 18:45 local time on Wednesday by a staff member of Atienza Shipping Lines.

What's New

Additional reporting indicates that the Philippine Coast Guard is using a computer-based search and rescue planning system to determine possible drifting areas where missing individuals may be located. The Philippine Coast Guard stated that the MV June Aster underwent pre-departure inspections and no violations or deficiencies were found in its documents that could have contributed to the incident.

Aileen Ausente is identified as a spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard in Palawan. Anelyn Magbanua stated, "I can't describe what I am feeling right now. I have been crying and praying since last night." The Philippine Coast Guard District Palawan's Maritime Environmental Protection unit prepared oil spill response equipment to conduct precautionary measures for the possible spill of hazardous materials.

Commodore Noemie Cayabyab of the Philippine Coast Guard stated that the fire started in the cargo hold based on an account from a surviving crew member. Eighty-seven people remain missing according to the Philippine Coast Guard. The MV June Aster departed Manila's Port of Baseco at 20:13 local time on Tuesday.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on the departure details of the MV June Aster. The Philippine Coast Guard voyage record states that the ferry departed from Baseco port in Manila.