Rescuers faced challenges on Thursday as they worked to access a passenger ferry that had ignited and burned through the night off the western coast of the Philippines. The incident resulted in five fatalities, with 86 individuals reported missing. Search and rescue operations were temporarily halted at night but were scheduled to resume the following morning.
According to Commodore Noemie Cayabyab, a spokesperson for the coast guard, 43 individuals have been successfully rescued so far. The ferry, named MV June Aster, remained afloat but was tilting near Coron after the fire broke out on Wednesday evening. Smoke continued to emanate from the vessel by midday on Thursday.
Authorities were in the process of verifying reports suggesting the presence of two foreign nationals on board. This involved cross-referencing the manifest with local officials and the shipping company to ascertain the identities of the deceased, survivors, and missing persons.
The ferry, which had a capacity of 306 passengers and 27 crew members, departed from Manila and was nearing its destination in Coron, Palawan province when the fire was reported around 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
Rescue teams encountered difficulties entering the vessel due to thick smoke. Cayabyab stated that the primary goal was to gain access to the ship to assess the situation accurately.
Later in the evening, search and rescue operations were paused and scheduled to resume in the morning. The cause of the fire remained uncertain, with one survivor suggesting it may have originated in the cargo hold. The coast guard was collaborating with relevant authorities to gather additional information.
The survivor recounted a rapid sequence of events, starting with a loud explosion followed by the swift spread of smoke and flames. Rescuers contended with adverse weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and rough seas. A collaborative effort involving coast guard ships, military vessels, government boats, volunteers, and fishermen was engaged in the search and rescue operations.
Efforts to locate passengers were extended to nearby ships via radio broadcasts, and coastal communities were alerted to the possibility of passengers drifting ashore. Images from the rescue operation depicted coast guard personnel distributing life jackets to survivors amidst the burning ferry. Passengers were transferred to smaller boats, and preparations were made for potential casualties.
The ferry, initially distressed around 7.4 kilometers off Turda, was later found to be at a distance of 14.2 kilometers due to strong sea currents. Coron, the intended destination, is renowned for its scenic beauty, including clear waters and distinctive rock formations.
The Philippines frequently relies on ferries for transportation, with sea accidents attributed to various factors such as inclement weather, vessel maintenance issues, overcrowding, and lax safety enforcement, particularly in remote regions. The country has a history of maritime tragedies, notably the 1987 sinking of the Dona Paz ferry following a collision with a fuel tanker, resulting in over 4,300 fatalities in one of the world’s worst peacetime maritime disasters.
