Philippines ferry fire: 30 bodies recovered, 54 still missing

This handout photo taken on September 11, 2026 and released by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) smoke billowing from the M/V June Aster ferry off the shore in Coron, Palawan province. — Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) handout pic via AFP

First Published: Saturday, 12 Sep 2026 9:17 AM MYT

ISTANBUL, Sept 12 — The Philippine Coast Guard said Friday that 30 bodies had been recovered from the charred remains of a passenger ferry that caught fire off the western Philippine province of Palawan earlier this week, while 54 people remained missing, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

The MV June Aster was initially reported to be carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members when it departed Manila for Coron in Palawan before catching fire Wednesday night.

Five people were confirmed dead that same night, while 43 passengers and crew members were rescued.

The number of people possibly missing was revised from 86 to 84 after two individuals listed on the manifest confirmed they had not boarded the vessel.

The Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement that authorities reported an initial count of 30 bodies recovered aboard the vessel after the fire was extinguished and a safety assessment was completed. — Bernama-Anadolu