The death toll from a ferry fire in the Philippines has risen to at least 76, following the discovery of 41 additional bodies aboard the M/V June Aster, the coast guard confirmed on Saturday. The burned vessel remains grounded about 7.5 kilometers off the coast near Coron, Palawan.
Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said the recovered remains were being transported to a port in Coron. Forensic teams have begun the process of identifying victims, with authorities arranging temporary burials in one-meter-deep graves in a local cemetery. Tourism official Kristine Ablana stated that relatives will be asked to identify personal belongings to help confirm the victims’ identities, after which DNA samples will be collected for definitive identification.
The fire broke out on Wednesday, reportedly starting in the cargo hold before rapidly spreading across the ship within seconds. Survivors described a sudden explosion and swift onset of smoke and flames, leaving many barely enough time to don life jackets before evacuating. Cayabyab noted that chaos and panic made it difficult for some passengers to secure life jackets, contributing to the high casualty count.
Of the 134 people on board—117 passengers and 17 crew—43 have been rescued, including Chilean nationals. Around a dozen are still unaccounted for. The vessel, owned by Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc., has a maximum capacity of 306 passengers and 27 crew members.
The incident has devastated families across the region. Relatives gathered in Coron expressed sorrow and uncertainty as they awaited news. Josenit Mayo said her daughter had been aboard the ferry, returning home for a family visit. "She told me, ‘Mom, I want to go home as I’m missing my siblings,’" Mayo recounted. Other families, including Myra Cabilan and Anelyn Magbanua, shared stories of loved ones missing after boarding the ferry.
Survivors described harrowing scenes as the fire engulfed the vessel. Arnulfo Nokki Villanueva recalled the frantic scramble for life jackets amid the panic. Lira Daco, whose daughter remains missing, mourned the possibility that her child may have been burned in the blaze.
The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, heavily relies on inter-island ferries, many of which are criticized for lax safety standards. The June Aster tragedy is the latest in a series of maritime disasters. Earlier this year, a ferry sank off southern Philippines, killing at least 52 people.
Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc. has stated it is fully cooperating with authorities as investigations continue into the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the accident. Authorities are working to determine accountability and improve safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.