In short
- The Philippine Coast Guard has recovered 30 bodies from the wreckage of the MV June Aster, bringing the confirmed death toll from the ferry fire to 35.
- The MV June Aster was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members when it caught fire as it approached the Philippine tourist destination of Coron after departing from Manila.
- Forty-three people were rescued from the ferry and many are receiving treatment in hospital, while more than 50 remain unaccounted for.
- Coast guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said most of the bodies recovered were found in the sleeping area of the boat, which was on a 22-hour journey.
- The ferry, built in 2002, held valid safety certificates and passed an enforcement inspection in March, according to the Palawan Daily.
The Philippine Coast Guard has recovered 30 bodies from the wreckage of the MV June Aster, bringing the confirmed death toll from the ferry fire to 35, with more than 50 people still unaccounted for. The vessel caught fire on Wednesday as it neared Coron, after departing from Manila.
How many people were on board the MV June Aster?
The ferry was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members. Forty-three people were rescued and many are receiving treatment in hospital, while searches continue for the more than 50 people who remain unaccounted for. Coast guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said most of the bodies recovered had been found in the sleeping area of the boat, which was on a 22-hour journey.
Why did it take until Friday to board the ferry?
The coast guard said toxic fumes and lingering heat prevented it from boarding the vessel until Friday, and that more bodies remain on the boat.
What caused the fire?
Preliminary interviews with survivors suggest the fire started in the cargo hold, and coast guard officials noted that some passengers were not wearing life vests. A survivor pulled to safety by a rescue boat told the BBC he heard frantic cries when the blaze broke out and was trampled by panicked people as he tried to escape.
The Philippines’ maritime authority is investigating the circumstances of the fire. The ferry, built in 2002, held valid safety certificates and passed an enforcement inspection in March, but investigators are looking into potential manifest discrepancies, cargo loading integrity and crew emergency response protocols, the Palawan Daily reported.
Other ferry incidents in the country include a separate fire off Palawan that left five dead and 80 missing.
What have the authorities and the ferry operator said?
Cayabyab said: “Agencies are currently undertaking the proper recovery and identification of the remains in accordance with established procedures.” Cayabyab also said: “We recognise the grief of the families affected by this tragic incident.” Atienza Interisland Ferries, which operates the MV June Aster, said in a statement that “our hearts remain with the affected families, and we will not rest until all individuals are accounted for.”
Fatal passenger transport accidents have also been recorded elsewhere, including a coach crash in the Swiss Alps in which several Dutch tourists were killed.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the MV June Aster ferry fire?
The Philippine Coast Guard has recovered 30 bodies from the wreckage, bringing the confirmed death toll to 35. More than 50 people remain unaccounted for.
What caused the fire on the MV June Aster?
Preliminary interviews with survivors suggest the fire started in the cargo hold, the coast guard said. The Philippines’ maritime authority is investigating, including potential manifest discrepancies, cargo loading integrity and crew emergency response protocols.
Where was the MV June Aster travelling when it caught fire?
The ferry departed Manila and caught fire on Wednesday as it approached Coron, a tourist destination, on a 22-hour journey.
How many people were on board the MV June Aster?
The vessel was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members. Forty-three people were rescued and many are being treated in hospital.
With reporting from BBC News.
Stock image, not from the events described. Burnham-on-Sea , Burnham Area Rescue Boat – geograph.org.uk – 2531111 — Lewis Clarke / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)