Philippines races to find survivors of deadly ferry fire

The Philippines yesterday deployed coast guard, military and civilian vessels in a race to find survivors on a smoldering passenger-and-cargo ferry off the western island of Palawan, after a fire on board killed at least five people and left 86 missing.

Drone footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed the blackened MV June Aster surrounded by clear blue-green waters, with the vessel still generating smoke hours after the fire broke out on Wednesday night.

Philippine Coast Guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said thick smoke continued to billow from the vessel, while extreme heat and the risk of explosions prevented rescuers from boarding.

Smoke emanates from the burnt passenger ferry MV June Aster off Coron, Philippines, yesterday.

Photo: Philippine Coast Guard via EPA

So far 43 people, including two Chilean nationals, have been rescued from the ferry, which was on a voyage from Baseco in Manila to Coron, a popular tourist destination in Palawan known for its diving sites and island-hopping attractions.

The coast guard had deployed two 44m vessels and three smaller craft, while army rescue boats, local fishers and private resort owners had joined the search since Wednesday night, Cayabyab said.

One military aircraft was also on standby, she said.

Smoke rises from the remains of ferry MV June Aster after it caught fire off the Philippines’ Palawan province yesterday.

Photo: Philippine Coast Guard via AP

At least one survivor reported hearing a loud explosion from the cargo hold before the blaze, Cayabyab told a news conference.

“After that there was smoke and fire. As per the testimony of the survivor, it escalated quickly. After seconds, the fire started spreading,” she said.

The survivor described it as a powerful blast, but authorities have yet to determine what caused it, she said.

Cayabyab said some survivors pulled from the sea were not wearing life jackets, suggesting passengers might have jumped overboard as the fire spread.

According to the vessel’s manifest, the ferry was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members and had a maximum capacity of 330 people.

The vessel had passed safety inspections, Cayabyab said.

It was also carrying five motorcycles, an electric vehicle, a forklift, a pickup truck and mostly cargo goods, she said.

Of the 43 rescued, 38 were passengers and four were crew, she said.

The identity of another survivor was not immediately clear.

“Most of the people we rescued were those who had been swimming away from the vessel,” Cayabyab said.

Many were in a state of shock, and comprehensive interviews that could shed light on the incident would only take place later, she said.

Asked whether authorities were looking at possible sabotage or a terrorist attack, she said it was too early to draw conclusions and that the investigation was ongoing.

The vessel’s owner, Atienza Inter-Island Ferries, said it was fully cooperating with government authorities investigating the incident.

“We are working around the clock and have mobilized all available resources to manage this crisis,” the company said in a statement, adding that it was committed to transparency as the investigation progressed.