Five dead, 42 rescued as fire engulfs vessel in Coron

Five people died while 42 others were rescued as fire broke out onboard the MV June Aster in the vicinity waters off Coron, Palawan, on 10 September 2026.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), they are currently conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations, with the rescued passengers brought to the Barangay Turda Covered Court in Coron, Palawan.

The casualties will be turned over to Coron Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) for proper disposition.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard District Palawan and other responding units continue to conduct systematic search operations within the vicinity waters of Coron, Palawan.

To recall, the PCG responded to a fire incident involving M/V June Aster at the vicinity waters approximately 1.2 nautical miles northeast of Barangay Marcilla, Coron, Palawan.

The said report prompted the PCG to coordinate with Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Turda, CGSS Tara, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Coron, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Coron, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Coron, and shipping lines with vessels berthed at the Port of Coron to facilitate immediate rescue and assistance.

Responding PCG personnel from Maritime Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU) Northeastern Palawan, and Coast Guard Special Operations Group (SOG) were deployed to the incident area to conduct rescue and provide assistance to those onboard.

Meanwhile, BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) departed the Port of San Fernando, El Nido, and proceeded to the incident location to provide additional assistance.

The PCG continues to monitor the situation and is coordinating with concerned agencies to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members.