Ferry on fire in waters off Coron in Palawan, Philippines. Photograph: Philippine coast guard (PCG)/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenFerry on fire in waters off Coron in Palawan, Philippines. Photograph: Philippine coast guard (PCG)/AFP/Getty ImagesDeadly Philippines ferry fire leaves scores of people missingForty-three people rescued and early death toll stands at five after blaze aboard MV June Aster in waters off Coron, Palawan, says coast guard
Five people were confirmed dead in early counting and more than 80 were missing after a ferry caught fire off Palawan island in the western Philippines on Wednesday night, the Philippine coast guard said.
Forty-three people were rescued from the MV June Aster in waters off Coron, Palawan, the coast guard said. Footage showed flames engulfing parts of the vessel and responders placing victims in body bags.
Coast guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab told DZXL radio the vessel’s manifest listed 117 passengers and 17 crew members.
Based on the reported number of survivors and fatalities, more than 80 people were unaccounted for, and Cayabyab said the figures might change as the rescue operation continued.
View image in fullscreenA survivor is assisted as he gets off a small boat after being rescued from the burning ferry. Photograph: Philippine coast guard/APThe ferry had departed from Baseco in Manila and was bound for Coron, she said.
