A fire broke out on the MV June Aster on Wednesday as the vessel approached Coron, a popular destination in the Philippines, after departing from Manila. The Philippine Coast Guard reported that the blaze, which started in a cargo hold, quickly engulfed the ferry, prompting a frantic evacuation.
The disaster involved more than 130 people on board – 117 passengers and 17 crew members – of whom 43 have survived. Officials have recovered 41 bodies so far, bringing the confirmed death toll to 76, while 13 individuals remain unaccounted for.
Rescue teams were unable to board the charred hull until Friday because of lingering heat and hazardous fumes, a delay that hampered the recovery of remains. Geronimo Tuvilla, an official with the coast guard, said the priority is to identify the victims and ascertain the cause of the fire.
Coron tourism officer Kristine Ablana explained that families are being asked to assist with identification by providing personal items and, where necessary, DNA samples. "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 said.
The ferry, built in 2002, held valid safety certificates and passed an enforcement inspection in March. Investigators are now examining possible discrepancies in the passenger manifest, cargo loading procedures and the crew's emergency response, while Atienza Interisland Ferries, the operator, has pledged full cooperation with the inquiry.
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Category: International
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