World · Philippines Bureau
Coast Guard recovers 30 bodies from fire-damaged Philippine vessel
The Philippine Coast Guard has recovered 30 charred remains from the MV June Aster following a devastating fire off Palawan. The retrieval operation commenced after the blaze was extinguished and the vessel cleared for safety assessment.
LSN Philippines ·
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The Philippine Coast Guard has recovered an initial 30 cadavers from the fire-ravaged MV June Aster, according to Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab on Friday evening, September 11.
Cayabyab disclosed that recovery teams were able to retrieve the charred remains after firefighting operations brought the blaze under control and safety personnel completed their preliminary assessment of the vessel. The recovery process marked a significant phase in the response to the maritime disaster that claimed multiple lives.
The vessel, which caught fire while at sea near Palawan, became a scene of extensive damage as flames consumed large sections of the ship. Authorities have not yet disclosed the total number of people who were aboard the MV June Aster at the time of the incident or provided additional details about the cause of the fire.
The Coast Guard is continuing operations to search for any additional victims and to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire. Recovery efforts remain ongoing as authorities work to account for all persons who were aboard the vessel.