MV June Aster Fire Declared Out; Burnt Bodies Observed, Many Still Missing

Authorities declared ‘fire out’ on MV June Aster on Friday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The official declaration was at 10:15 a.m. on Friday but was only later disclosed to the media. While the PCG has not yet released an updated death tally following the fire being put out, it confirmed that burnt bodies were observed. “The PCG, PNP-SOCO (Philippine National Police - Scene of the Crime Operations), and other concerned agencies are currently undertaking the proper recovery and identification of the remains in accordance with established procedures,” PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said in a statement. “We recognize the grief of the families affected by this tragic incident. Rest assured that operations are carried out with utmost respect for the deceased and their bereaved families,” she added. The PCG has laid out oil spill booms as a precautionary measure but said that there were no signs of an oil spill yet in the waters. In the PCG’s last update, at least 86 people were still missing, and five were dead, with 43 survivors. The MV June Aster, owned and operated by Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc., caught fire on Wednesday night while it was sailing in the waters of Coron, Palawan. Its flames persisted until Friday morning, making it difficult for rescuers to respond. This incident underscores the critical importance of safety measures in maritime transport within the Philippines, an archipelagic nation where ferries are a vital mode of transportation for many citizens.