HEADLINES
Scores dead, missing in Coron ferry inferno
Six of the rescued passengers had been discharged from the hospital, while 33 remained confined.
Dozens are feared dead as 87 people remained unaccounted for on Thursday following a fire that razed a passenger-cargo vessel off Coron, Palawan, the Philippine Coast Guard said. At press time, authorities confirmed the death of five people.
The M/V June Aster, operated by Atienza Interisland Shipping Line, was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members when it caught fire at about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, 9 September while en route to Coron from Baseco in Manila.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemi Cayabyab said 42 people had been rescued — 38 passengers and four crew members. The figures were subject to change as search and rescue operations continued.
Six of the rescued passengers had been discharged from the hospital, while 33 remained confined. Three were in critical condition and were being treated at Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital.
The bodies of the five fatalities were brought to the Barangay Turda covered court in Coron before being turned over to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for proper disposition.
The fire broke out while the boat was about 1.2-nautical miles northeast of Barangay Marcilla. PCG units, the Bureau of Fire Protection, local disaster officials, and other responders continued systematic search operations.
The BRP Suluan proceeded from San Fernando, El Nido, to the incident site to provide assistance.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Rescue operations were continuing as the authorities worked to account for all the passengers and crew listed on the vessel’s manifest.