Search teams have recovered 30 bodies from the wreckage of the MV June Aster, bringing the confirmed death toll from the ferry fire to 35 while more than 50 people remain unaccounted for.
The passenger ferry caught fire on Wednesday as it neared Coron, a popular tourist destination, after departing from Manila on a roughly 22-hour voyage. Authorities say more than 130 people were on board when the blaze began. Forty-three people were rescued and many are receiving treatment in hospital.
Coast guard officials said access to the burned vessel was hampered by toxic fumes and persistent heat, preventing entry until Friday. Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said most of the recovered bodies were found in the boat's sleeping area and that agencies were following established procedures to recover and identify the remains. She added that authorities recognised the grief of affected families.
Preliminary interviews with survivors indicate the fire may have started in the cargo hold, and investigators reported that some passengers were not wearing life vests. A survivor who was hauled to safety described frantic cries on board and being trampled as people tried to escape.
The MV June Aster, built in 2002, was reported to hold valid safety certificates and to have passed an enforcement inspection in March. The vessel's operator, Atienza Interisland Ferries, said it would fully cooperate with the inquiry, adding, "Our hearts remain with the affected families, and we will not rest until all individuals are accounted for." Investigators are examining potential manifest discrepancies, the integrity of cargo loading, and crew emergency response protocols.
The Philippines' maritime authority has launched a formal investigation into the circumstances of the blaze. Meanwhile, search operations continue for the more than 50 people who are still missing, and recovery teams are working to identify the recovered bodies and provide information to relatives. Hospitals continue to care for those rescued as authorities pursue the ongoing probe.
