More than 40 hours after a devastating ferry fire erupted, Philippine rescue teams have finally boarded the charred hull of the MV June Aster to search for dozens of missing passengers and crew. The vessel, which caught fire on Wednesday evening while traveling from Manila to Coron in the western province of Palawan, has claimed five lives so far, with 43 people rescued and 84 still unaccounted for.
Firefighters and coast guard personnel gained access to the burned-out ship at approximately 11:30 local time on Friday morning, according to reporting. The delay in boarding was caused by intense heat and thick, toxic smoke that made the vessel too dangerous to enter during the initial 24 hours of the emergency response.
The ship's manifest indicated that 134 people were on board when the fire started, comprising 117 passengers and 17 crew members. However, authorities revised the missing count from 86 to 84 after confirming that two individuals listed on the manifest had not actually boarded the vessel.
Photographs released by the Philippine Coast Guard on Friday morning revealed smoke still rising from the ferry's hull, though the plumes had noticeably diminished by afternoon. The vessel remained afloat but listing in the waters off Coron, a popular tourist destination in Palawan province.
What caused the fire to spread so rapidly?
Preliminary interviews with survivors indicate that the blaze originated in the cargo hold, the compartment where containers and goods are stored. The fire's rapid spread may have been exacerbated by the materials stored in that section of the ship. Some passengers were not wearing life vests when the fire broke out, according to coast guard observations, which may have affected survival rates during evacuation.
Smoke from incomplete combustion contains dangerously high concentrations of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can be lethal in dense concentrations. This hazard was a primary reason rescue personnel struggled to penetrate the vessel during the initial response phase.
How did survivors escape the burning vessel?
Passengers described scenes of chaos and panic as the fire erupted on Wednesday evening. Roland Lerma, a 30-year-old survivor, recounted the terrifying moments as he attempted to flee the passenger-cargo vessel.
When I was on the floor, people were trampling me,he told authorities. Lerma managed to crawl until he regained his footing, then leaped from the burning ship into the sea below.
It was cold [in the sea] If the rescue had been delayed, I would definitely have died,he said.
During his escape, Lerma observed children who had also jumped into the water, though darkness prevented him from seeing their faces clearly. The water temperature and conditions posed additional survival challenges for those who abandoned ship.
What obstacles have rescue teams faced?
The Philippine Coast Guard spokeswoman, Noemie Cayabyab, explained the severe difficulties confronting rescue personnel.
The biggest challenge for us really is to penetrate the ship [as] there is still a visible, thick smoke,she stated.
No matter how we try to push through, high temperatures and toxic smoke remain a severe risk to our personnel,she added in comments to local media.
These hazardous conditions prevented boarding operations for more than a day after the fire began. Heat and smoke had made onboard access impossible until Friday morning, forcing rescue teams to focus initially on water-based search operations.
How has the search operation expanded?
Rescue teams have significantly widened their search area in the waters surrounding the disaster site. The Philippine Coast Guard deployed one of its largest vessels to the region and conducted radio broadcasts to alert other ships in the area to the emergency. Search teams include divers and nurses positioned to provide immediate medical assistance to any survivors located.
The coast guard also performed an aerial survey of the waters near the incident location to expand the scope of the search. Local divers in Coron reported that they were on standby and awaiting instructions from coast guard officials to assist in the operation.
What happens next in the rescue and investigation?
Firefighting efforts are expected to resume from within the cargo hold of the ferry, where the blaze is believed to have originated. This targeted approach aims to fully extinguish any remaining flames while allowing search teams to access the vessel's interior compartments where missing persons may be located.
The Philippines' maritime authority has launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Investigators are examining potential manifest discrepancies, cargo loading integrity, and crew emergency response protocols, according to reporting from the Palawan Daily. The MV June Aster, built in 2002, held valid safety certificates and had passed an enforcement inspection in March prior to the fire.
Atienza Interisland Ferries, the company operating the vessel, released a statement pledging cooperation with the inquiry.
Our hearts remain with the affected families, and we will not rest until all individuals are accounted for,the operator said on Thursday.
Key Facts
- The MV June Aster caught fire on Wednesday evening, September 9, 2026, while traveling from Manila to Coron in Palawan province
- Five people have been confirmed dead, 43 rescued, and 84 remain missing from the 134 people listed on the ship's manifest
- Rescue teams were unable to board the vessel for more than 24 hours due to extreme heat and toxic smoke containing high concentrations of carbon monoxide
- Preliminary evidence suggests the fire originated in the cargo hold, based on survivor interviews
- The vessel was built in 2002 and held valid safety certificates, though a formal maritime investigation is underway
