World · Philippines Bureau
Rescuers board burned ferry, search continues for 84 missing
Search and rescue teams boarded the MV June Aster on Friday to look for 84 people still unaccounted for after the vessel caught fire off Coron, Palawan. Suspected human remains were discovered during the operation, according to coast guard officials.
LSN Philippines ·
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — Rescue personnel boarded the charred MV June Aster at approximately 12:30 p.m. Friday, continuing efforts to locate dozens of missing passengers and crew members following the vessel's fire outbreak Wednesday evening. The search operation concentrated on the waters off Coron in Palawan province, where the ferry was navigating when the blaze erupted.
According to Coast Guard District Palawan officials, rescuers discovered suspected charred remains while conducting their systematic search of the burned vessel. The findings marked a significant development in recovery efforts that have been ongoing since the incident.
The fire that swept through the MV June Aster left 84 people unaccounted for as of Friday's operation. Authorities have not yet released confirmed casualty figures, though the discovery of remains suggests the toll may be substantial.
The incident has prompted intensified search and rescue operations across the area, with coast guard personnel working to establish a comprehensive accounting of all persons aboard the vessel at the time of the fire. Recovery efforts are expected to continue as authorities work to locate the remaining missing individuals and determine the cause of the blaze.