The Philippine Coast Guard says 41 extra our bodies have been recovered from the M/V June Aster, with 13 individuals nonetheless lacking.
Revealed On 12 Sep 2026
The demise toll from a Philippine ferry hearth has risen to 76, with 13 individuals nonetheless lacking, after search groups recovered further stays from the passenger vessel off Palawan province.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) mentioned in a press release on Saturday that 41 extra charred our bodies had been retrieved from the ferry.
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M/V June Aster was crusing from Manila, carrying 132 passengers and crew, when a blaze engulfed its lower decks on Wednesday night, simply 2.2 kilometres (1.3 miles) off its vacation spot of Coron, in northern Palawan.
Rescuers pulled 43 survivors from the water that evening.
Investigators, citing survivor accounts, reported listening to successive explosions earlier than flames swept quickly by way of the passenger areas.
“The wind could have contributed to the speedy unfold of the flames, based mostly on the survivors’ accounts,” mentioned Commodore Noemi Cayabyab, spokesperson for the PCG, in response to native media outlet the Inquirer.
“Some passengers reportedly jumped into the water after seeing the fireplace and will not have had time to retrieve their life jackets.”
In accordance with authorities, forensic groups and native police are working to determine victims utilizing private belongings and DNA matching.
“The PCG, [the Philippine National Police’s Scene of the Crime Operatives] and different involved companies are at the moment enterprise the correct restoration and identification of the stays in accordance with established procedures,” Cayabyab mentioned.
Security procedures and the ship captain’s actions throughout the early minutes of the catastrophe are underneath formal evaluation, maritime officers mentioned.
“With the variety of lacking and the variety of capability, positively there may be legal responsibility right here,” Cayabyab added concerning the vessel’s command.
The ferry operator, Atienza Interisland Ferries, issued a press release committing to “full transparency” and helping affected households with lodging, transportation and medical care as investigations proceed.
