Philippines Ferry Fire Death Toll Rises To 35, As Authorities Begin Identifying Victims

Philippine authorities began identifying victims on Saturday after a ferry fire near Coron in Palawan killed at least 35 people, with 43 survivors and 53 still missing. The latest recovery operation came after rescuers gained access to the burned out vessel and recovered 30 bodies from its economy accommodation section.

The MV June Aster, which was carrying more than 130 people, caught fire on Wednesday evening while travelling from Manila to Coron. The vessel was nearing the end of its more than 20 hour journey when the blaze erupted near Palawan. The fire was finally extinguished on Friday, allowing firefighters to enter areas that had earlier been inaccessible because of thick smoke and extreme heat.

The recovered bodies were taken to the port in Coron, where temporary tents were set up for forensic teams to examine and identify the remains. Coast Guard personnel were seen carrying black body bags from a vessel while relatives waited anxiously for information about missing family members.

Coast Guard official Geronimo Tuvilla said identifying the victims and determining the cause of the fire were the immediate priorities. Authorities are also continuing search operations for those still unaccounted for.

A Maritime Industry Authority statement citing survivors said two explosions were heard inside the ferry shortly before the fire broke out. One survivor told GMA News that he initially saw a small amount of smoke before flames spread through the vessel within seconds.

The blaze was so intense that rescuers initially struggled to enter the ferry. Images released by the Coast Guard showed twisted steel bed frames, ash and severe damage inside the vessel, with some photographs appearing to show skeletal remains.

The fate of the ship’s captain also remained unclear. Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said she had received information that the captain was alive, but his name was not among the 43 confirmed survivors.

The disaster has renewed concerns about maritime safety in the Philippines, where ferries are a major means of transport between the country's thousands of islands. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire, emergency response and possible safety violations.