Five dead and 86 missing after fire on ferry in the Philippines

At least five people have died and 86 are missing after a fire broke out on a ferry in the Philippines, according to the country's coastguard. The MV June Aster, which departed from Manila with 117 passengers and 17 crew members, was nearing its destination at Coron when the fire occurred. The blaze erupted at 18:45 local time (10:45 GMT) on Wednesday and was still burning as of 11:00 on Thursday. The coastguard reported that strong currents and thick smoke complicated efforts to extinguish the fire. A survivor recounted being in the sea for two hours before being rescued, stating, "It was cold. If the rescue was delayed, I would definitely have died." Video clips shared by the coastguard showed the vessel engulfed in flames and people being rescued from the water. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with preliminary interviews suggesting it started in the cargo hold. Some passengers were reportedly not wearing life vests. Forty-three people have been rescued, but the number of injuries is unclear. Seven survivors were taken to a hospital in Culion for treatment. An eyewitness described the incident as unprecedented in Coron. Families of the missing are anxiously awaiting news, with some posting appeals for information on social media. Maritime accidents are common in the Philippines, where inter-island ferries are a primary means of transportation. The country experiences an average of 20 typhoons annually, which can create hazardous conditions for maritime travel. Previous incidents have been attributed to poor maintenance and inconsistent safety regulations. This incident could be one of the worst ferry disasters in recent years, following a similar incident in 2023 that resulted in 31 fatalities.