Ferry captain says rapid fire spread caught crew off guard in Palawan disaster

Captain Roel Sarmiento of MV June Aster told investigators that he immediately ordered his crew to implement emergency procedures when fire broke out aboard the passenger ferry last week en route to Coron in Palawan. However, the captain said the speed at which the flames spread across the vessel exceeded expectations, hampering evacuation and response efforts.

The ferry fire ranks among the deadliest maritime incidents in Philippine waters in recent years. Initial reports indicate that at least 77 people lost their lives in the disaster, with authorities still working to confirm the final casualty count and account for all passengers and crew members who were aboard at the time.

Investigators are examining the circumstances that led to the fire's rapid escalation despite the crew's prompt implementation of safety measures. The incident has raised fresh questions about fire safety protocols on inter-island ferries operating in the Philippines, a maritime nation where such vessels remain crucial for connecting remote communities across the archipelago.

The Philippine Coast Guard and other agencies have launched a comprehensive investigation into the MV June Aster incident. Maritime authorities are expected to review the vessel's maintenance records, safety equipment, and crew training to determine what factors contributed to the fire's severity and spread.