MANILA, 10 Sept. - (ANA) - At least five people have died and 87 are missing after a passenger ferry caught fire off Coron in the western Philippines.

 

The fire broke out aboard the June Aster ferry at around 6.45pm local time on Wednesday in waters off the island of Coron, Palawan, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

 

The vessel had departed from Manila and was travelling to Coron when it caught fire.

 

The ferry's manifest of 134 people included 117 passengers and 17 crew.

 

Coast Guard representative Noemie Cayabyab said 42 people had been rescued, including 38 passengers and four crew members.

 

Five people have died and 87 were unaccounted for, the Coast Guard said.

 

Ms Cayabyab stressed the figures could change as search and rescue operations continued.

 

Coast Guard footage showed the June Aster ferry engulfed in flames, while responders assisted survivors and handled casualties.

 

Search and rescue teams from the Coast Guard and other local agencies were deployed to the area following the fire.

 

The Coast Guard said the cause of the fire remained under investigation.

 

Authorities continued efforts on Thursday to locate people still missing from the vessel.

 

The Philippine Coast Guard said the operation was continuing and appealed for information from families with relatives aboard the ferry.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/10 September 2026 - -