Discretion advised: This story involves details of a maritime disaster with significant loss of life.
The death toll from a fire aboard a Philippine passenger ferry has risen to 35 after coast guard teams recovered 30 more bodies on Friday, September 11, from the burned wreck of the MV June Aster off the western Philippine province of Palawan.
How the Disaster Unfolded
The ferry caught fire Wednesday night, September 9, while traveling from the capital, Manila, to the popular tourist destination of Coron, Palawan. The vessel was carrying more than 130 people — according to the manifest, 117 passengers and 17 crew, aboard a 174-foot ship with capacity for 306 passengers and 27 crew — when it was engulfed in flames.
What Caused the Fire
According to a statement from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), citing survivor accounts, two successive explosions were heard inside the ship before the blaze erupted, reportedly originating in the cargo hold. Coast guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab described how quickly the situation deteriorated based on survivor testimony: "From the time that they heard the loud explosion, the appearance of smoke, and then fire. It spread very quickly. Everything happened in seconds," she said, adding that those who escaped the ship didn't even have time to put on life jackets.
Why Recovery Took So Long
Thick smoke and extreme heat prevented rescuers from entering the ferry for more than 30 hours after the fire broke out, significantly slowing search and recovery efforts. Coast guard teams were finally able to board the vessel Friday after the fire was declared fully extinguished, allowing them to gain access for the first time.
What Rescuers Found
Bodies were discovered in the ferry's economy accommodation area. Images released by the coast guard showed the extent of the destruction inside the ship, with rows of accommodation berths reduced to twisted metal and ash. One image appeared to show skeletal remains amid charred debris, and another photograph appeared to show a burned vehicle among the wreckage. Video footage showed responders in protective suits carrying black body bags from a small boat onto a coast guard vessel. Cayabyab explained that the 30 bodies represented the capacity of the patrol boat being used to transfer them, telling AFP: "We have 30 on board our (rescue) boat now that will arrive tomorrow." Asked whether more bodies remained aboard the ferry, she confirmed: "Yes, there are more."
The Current Count
As of Friday, authorities reported 35 confirmed deaths, 43 survivors, and 54 people still missing — though reports on the exact missing figure varied slightly between outlets, with some citing 84 missing prior to Friday's recovery of 30 bodies before that number was revised. The recovered remains were set to be transported to the Port of Borac in Coron on Saturday morning for identification.
Foreign Nationals Aboard
Two of the survivors were identified as tourists from Chile, according to Rachel Conserman, a staffer for the ship's owner, Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc. Both were said to be recovering from injuries at a hospital in Coron, with no other foreign nationals believed to have been aboard the vessel. Separately, two passengers listed on the ship's manifest reported to authorities that they had failed to board before departure.
Families Waiting for Answers
As search operations continued, families of missing passengers expressed mounting frustration over the lack of information being provided about their loved ones. Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemi Cayabyab offered a statement of condolence: "We recognise 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."
Part of a Recurring Pattern
This tragedy adds to a troubling history of maritime disasters in the Philippines, an archipelago nation heavily reliant on inter-island ferry travel. A similarly devastating incident occurred in 2023, when a fire aboard the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 off the southern province of Basilan killed at least 31 people, with survivors jumping into the sea to escape the flames before rescuers later discovered additional bodies in the vessel's budget passenger cabin.
What's Next
With coast guard officials confirming more bodies remain aboard the June Aster and dozens still unaccounted for, recovery and identification operations are expected to continue over the coming days. For continuing live coverage, see the full CBS News report.