The Philippine Coast Guard has recovered 41 bodies from the wreckage of the MV June Aster, bringing the confirmed death toll to 76 following a catastrophic fire that erupted on Wednesday evening off the coast of Coron in Palawan province. More than 130 people were aboard the vessel when the blaze started as it approached its destination, a popular tourist destination, after departing from Manila bound for the western province of Palawan. The coast guard confirmed on Saturday that 43 people survived the disaster, though many remain hospitalized, while 13 individuals are still unaccounted for.
According to , the Philippine Coast Guard revised the count of missing persons from 86 to 84 after determining that two people listed on the manifest had not actually boarded the vessel. The ship's manifest indicated 134 people total, comprising 117 passengers and 17 crew members.
Why was recovery delayed?
Toxic fumes and intense residual heat prevented authorities from boarding the ferry until Friday, more than a day after the fire began. Firefighters were able to board the burned-out vessel on Friday, allowing search operations inside to resume and enabling investigators to examine the cargo hold where the fire is believed to have originated.
How did the fire spread so rapidly?
Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab explained that the fire began in a cargo hold before spreading throughout the vessel with alarming speed. Survivors reported hearing a loud explosion followed by smoke and flames that propagated quickly through the ship. Those who escaped described not having sufficient time to don lifejackets before abandoning the vessel. One survivor recounted hearing frantic cries from other passengers and being trampled by panicked people as he attempted to flee the burning ferry.
How are authorities identifying victims?
Identifying the deceased has become a priority for the Philippine Coast Guard, with officials working to determine the cause of the blaze. Kristine Ablana, a tourism official in Coron, explained that relatives are being asked to assist in identifying family members through personal belongings and DNA analysis.
Once someone is able to verify that this photo or these belongings are indeed those of their relative, they will be asked to provide a DNA sample,she stated.
What do investigators know about the vessel?
The MV June Aster was constructed in 2002 and maintained valid safety certificates at the time of the disaster. The ferry had successfully completed an enforcement inspection in March, yet investigators are now examining potential discrepancies in the cargo manifest, the integrity of cargo loading procedures, and the crew's emergency response protocols, according to the Palawan Daily. Atienza Interisland Ferries, the vessel's operator, has committed to full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
What happens next?
Search-and-rescue operations are continuing as firefighters and coast guard crews search for the remaining missing individuals. Firefighting efforts are expected to resume from the cargo hold of the ferry as authorities work to fully extinguish any remaining flames and complete their investigation into the disaster.
Key Facts
- The fire erupted on Wednesday evening, 9 September 2026, aboard the MV June Aster near Coron in Palawan province
- The vessel was carrying 134 people total: 117 passengers and 17 crew members
- Confirmed death toll stands at 76, with 43 survivors and 13 people still missing
- The fire originated in the cargo hold and spread rapidly, preventing passengers from securing lifejackets
- The ferry was built in 2002 and had passed a safety inspection in March, but investigators are examining cargo loading and crew emergency procedures
