Philippine rescuers boarded the MV June Aster more than 40 hours after a fire broke out on the vessel. Five people have been confirmed dead, 43 rescued and 84 remain missing. Operations continue near Coron in Palawan province amid ongoing challenges from smoke and heat.
Why did rescuers take so long to board the MV June Aster?
Rescuers faced persistent high temperatures and thick smoke that made boarding impossible for more than 40 hours. The Philippine Coast Guard reported that teams finally accessed the vessel at approximately 11:30 local time on Friday. Earlier attempts were blocked by toxic fumes and residual heat from the blaze that began on Wednesday evening. Coast Guard spokeswoman Noemie Cayabyab stated that smoke from incomplete burning carried dense concentrations of carbon monoxide. These conditions posed severe risks to personnel even with protective equipment. The ferry had been traveling from Manila toward the tourist destination of Coron when the fire started in the cargo hold. Officials struggled to board the hull since operations began on Wednesday because of the toxic fumes and heat. They finally got on at about 11:30 local time on Friday, the coast guard said. The biggest challenge for us really is to penetrate the ship as there is still a visible, thick smoke, the coastguard's spokeswoman Noemie Cayabyab told the BBC earlier. No matter how we try to push through, high temperatures and toxic smoke remain a severe risk to our personnel, she told local media earlier. Smoke resulting from incomplete burning contains dense, lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide. The source leaves unsettled how long the remaining smoke and heat will continue to block full access to interior compartments.
How many people are accounted for after the ferry fire?
Authorities have confirmed five deaths and the rescue of 43 people. The missing total stands at 84 after two names on the manifest were confirmed not to have boarded. Earlier figures listed 86 unaccounted for before the adjustment. Many of the rescued passengers are receiving hospital treatment. Search teams have expanded the area using a large coast guard vessel, radio broadcasts to nearby ships, divers and nurses. An aerial survey of surrounding waters was also conducted. More than 40 hours after a deadly ferry fire began, Philippine rescuers have boarded the charred remains of the MV June Aster in search of dozens of missing people. Five people been found dead, while 43 people have been rescued, many of whom are receiving treatment in hospital. Eighty-four people remain missing. Photos shared by the Philippine Coast Guard on Friday morning showed smoke still curling from the ferry, which had been travelling from the capital Manila to the island of Coron though the plumes appear to have died down in fresh photos from Friday afternoon. The coast guard also conducted an aerial survey of waters near the disaster site. The source leaves unsettled whether all 84 listed as missing will be located inside the vessel or in surrounding waters.
What do survivor accounts reveal about conditions on board?
Survivor Roland Lerma described chaos after the fire erupted. He fell while trying to escape and was trampled by others before crawling to safety and jumping into the sea. Lerma noted children in the water and said the cold sea temperature would have been fatal without prompt rescue. A survivor who was hauled to safety on a rescue boat had described the frantic cries on board the passenger-cargo vessel when the fire erupted on Wednesday evening. Roland Lerma recalled falling while scrambling to get off the burning boat. When I was on the floor, people were trampling me, the 30-year-old told the BBC. He started crawling until he could find his footing again, before leaping off the vessel into the sea. Lerma said he saw children who had also jumped in the water, though he could not make out their faces in the dark. It was cold in the sea If the rescue had been delayed, I would definitely have died, he said. Survivors indicated that some passengers lacked life vests. Preliminary interviews suggest the fire originated in the cargo hold where containers and goods were stored. The vessel, built in 2002, held valid safety certificates and had passed an inspection in March. The source leaves unsettled the exact number of children among the missing or rescued.
What investigation steps are underway?
The Philippines maritime authority is examining manifest discrepancies, cargo loading practices and crew emergency response procedures. The operator, Atienza Interisland Ferries, has stated it will cooperate fully with the inquiry. Firefighting efforts are planned to resume, beginning in the cargo hold. Divers remain on standby in Coron while coast guard teams continue operations. The vessel's manifest and safety records are under review as part of the ongoing probe. The Philippines' maritime authority is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The ferry, built in 2002, held valid safety certificates and passed an enforcement inspection in March, but investigators are looking into potential manifest discrepancies, cargo loading integrity, and crew emergency response protocols, the Palawan Daily reported. Atienza Interisland Ferries, the vessel's operator, has pledged full cooperation with the inquiry. Our hearts remain with the affected families, and we will not rest until all individuals are accounted for, the company said in a statement on Thursday. The plan is to resume firefighting efforts, first from the cargo hold of the ferry, which is the compartment where containers and or goods are stored, Cayabyab said. Earlier, the coastguard said preliminary interviews with the survivors suggest that was where the fire started. The source leaves unsettled the final conclusions of the maritime authority probe into cargo loading and crew response.
Frequently asked questions
When did rescuers first board the ferry?
Teams boarded at about 11:30 local time on Friday, more than 40 hours after the fire began on Wednesday evening.
How many remain missing?
Eighty-four people are still unaccounted for according to the latest coast guard update.
Where did the fire start?
Survivor interviews point to the cargo hold as the likely origin, though the full investigation continues.
Was the ferry certified?
The vessel held valid safety certificates and passed an enforcement inspection in March.
Are search operations still active?
Yes, teams have widened the search area and continue efforts with additional vessels, divers and aerial support.
Key takeaways
Rescuers boarded the MV June Aster more than 40 hours after the fire due to persistent smoke and heat. Five deaths have been confirmed and 43 people rescued so far. Eighty-four passengers remain missing. The fire is believed to have started in the cargo hold. The maritime authority is investigating safety and loading procedures.
Outlook for the search operation
Coast guard teams plan to continue boarding and firefighting from the cargo area while maintaining the wider sea search. The investigation into the incident is expected to examine crew response and cargo practices in detail. Updates from official sources will clarify further developments as recovery work progresses. Rescuers have widened their search area, Cayabyab says, adding that the coastguard has deployed one of its largest ships and done radio broadcasts to vessels in the area. The search teams are also accompanied by divers and nurses. A local diver in Coron told the BBC on Friday that he and his team were on standby to help out and awaiting instructions from the coast guard.