Rescue teams continued operations Thursday after a passenger ferry caught fire off the western coast of the Philippines, resulting in at least five deaths and leaving 86 people unaccounted for. The incident occurred Wednesday evening near Coron, a popular tourist destination in Palawan province.

The MV June Aster was carrying a total of 134 passengers and crew when the fire erupted around 6:45 p.m. The vessel had departed from Manila and was approaching Coron at the time. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion shortly before the blaze rapidly spread throughout the ferry, though the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Rescue efforts have been hindered by challenging conditions, including thick smoke, adverse weather, and large waves. As of Thursday, 43 survivors had been pulled from the water or the ferry. Authorities, alongside volunteer groups, local fishermen, coast guard vessels, and military boats, have been conducting extensive searches of the surrounding waters and nearby coastal areas.

Despite the severe damage, the MV June Aster remained afloat but was listing and emitting smoke. Efforts to access the interior of the ferry have been difficult due to the intense heat and structural damage caused by the fire.

Officials have not released further details on the identity of those missing or confirmed the total number of casualties as the search and rescue mission continues. The incident has raised concerns about maritime safety standards in the region, especially as the ferry was carrying both local and tourist passengers.