Rescue teams intensify search for 12 missing in ferry fire off Palawan

Rescue teams continued their search Monday, September 14, for a dozen passengers still unaccounted for after the M/V June Aster caught fire off Coron in Palawan province. The vessel sank following the blaze, leaving its lower sections submerged and inaccessible to initial search efforts. Authorities initiated dewatering operations to drain sections of the hull, a critical step toward accessing compartments where missing persons may be located.

Municipal officials coordinated rescue operations from Coron, with the tourism officer confirming ongoing efforts to account for all passengers aboard the ferry at the time of the incident. The fire, which broke out during transit, forced an evacuation of the vessel, though the exact circumstances surrounding the outbreak remained under investigation.

The incident marks another maritime tragedy in Philippine waters, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in the country's ferry and shipping sector. Authorities have not released additional details regarding the cause of the fire or the status of other passengers and crew members aboard the vessel. Recovery and identification efforts are expected to continue as dewatering operations progress.