Five dead, 87 missing after ferry fire off Palawan coast

At least five people have been confirmed dead and 87 remain missing following a fire that broke out aboard the M/V June Aster on Wednesday evening, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. The incident occurred approximately 2.2 kilometers offshore in waters near Palawan, a major tourism hub in the southern Philippines.

The coast guard responded swiftly to distress calls from the passenger ferry, deploying rescue vessels and personnel to the scene. Initial reports indicate that some passengers and crew members were evacuated from the burning vessel, though the exact number of survivors has not been fully confirmed.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway. The M/V June Aster, a passenger-cargo vessel, had been operating in Philippine waters at the time of the incident. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the vessel's manifest, passenger manifest, or crew composition.

The incident marks another maritime tragedy in the Philippines, a nation heavily dependent on sea transport for inter-island connectivity. The coast guard has urged vessel operators to ensure proper safety protocols and equipment maintenance to prevent similar disasters.