MV June Aster Fire: 84 Missing, Charred Remains Found Amidst Ongoing Rescue

Rescue teams boarded the MV June Aster on Friday noon to locate 84 people still missing after the vessel caught fire Wednesday evening in the waters off Coron, Palawan. Coast Guard District Palawan spokesperson Lt. j.g. Aileen Ausente said rescuers boarded the vessel at around 12:30 p.m. A video obtained by the Inquirer showed what appeared to be the charred remains of passengers who were trapped inside the vessel. Earlier Friday, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemi Cayabyab said two people listed in the passenger manifest did not board the MV June Aster, bringing the total number of people aboard to 132—115 passengers and 17 crew members. The revised figure brought the number of missing to 84. There were 43 survivors and five fatalities. Meanwhile, Coron District Hospital said 10 of the survivors brought to the facility remained confined, while 23 had been discharged. Seven others were transferred to Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital, while three refused admission. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding maritime safety regulations in the Philippines, an archipelagic nation where ferries are a crucial mode of transportation, impacting the lives of many.