Ferry Fire in Philippines Claims 35 Lives; Search Continues

CORON, Philippines — The death toll from a fire that gutted a passenger ferry in the Philippines has risen to 35, with 54 people still missing. Rescuers on Friday recovered more bodies from the vessel, which caught fire Wednesday night off the coast of southwestern Palawan province. The ferry, MV June Aster, was en route to Coron from the capital, Manila, when the fire broke out approximately 7.4 kilometers (4.5 miles) off the village of Turda. A total of 134 individuals were on board, including 117 passengers and 17 crew members. Forty-three people survived the ordeal. Images released by the coast guard showed the charred interior of the ship, with what appeared to be human remains, ashes, and burnt metal, including parts of a vehicle. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, with one man, Arnulfo Nokki Villanueva, stating that the fire spread so rapidly that he had to jump from a window without a life jacket as panicked passengers trampled over him. Rescuers faced challenges in accessing the vessel due to intense heat and smoke, hindering immediate search efforts. Families of the missing are anxiously awaiting news, with one mother, Lira Daco, expressing her grief over the potential loss of her 20-year-old daughter, Cyriel, stating, "It's painful to think that your child was asking for help while she was burning alive." Among the survivors were two tourists from Chile, who are reportedly recovering from injuries in a Coron hospital. No other foreign nationals were believed to be on board. Ferries are a vital mode of transportation in the Philippine archipelago, but sea accidents are frequent due to factors such as storms, poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding, and lax enforcement of safety regulations, particularly in remote areas. The Philippines has a history of devastating maritime disasters, including the 1987 sinking of the MV Dona Paz, which claimed over 4,300 lives. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo