Philippines Ferry Fire Death Toll Climbs to 35, Dozens Still Missing

The death toll from a devastating fire aboard the Philippine ferry MV June Aster has risen to 35, the country's coast guard announced, after divers recovered 30 bodies from the wreckage. More than 50 people remain unaccounted for as search operations continue at the site near the tourist island of Coron.

What Happened

The MV June Aster caught fire on Wednesday while nearing its destination at Coron in Palawan province, after departing from Manila. More than 130 people were on board when the blaze erupted. Forty-three people were rescued and are receiving treatment.

Delayed Access

Search and rescue operations were significantly hampered for days by toxic fumes and lingering heat from the smoldering wreck. The coast guard said it was only able to board the burnt-out vessel on Friday after conditions improved enough to allow divers to enter.

We believe there are still more bodies inside the vessel. Our teams are working around the clock to recover all victims and determine the cause of the fire.

The cause of the fire was under investigation. Philippine maritime authorities said they have launched an inquiry into the incident and the safety procedures aboard the vessel.

Philippines Ferry Safety

Ferry disasters are not uncommon in the Philippines, an archipelago nation with thousands of islands where ferries are a primary mode of transportation. Overcrowding and poor maintenance have been cited as recurring issues in previous maritime disasters.