A ferry fire off Palawan killed at least five people and left 87 missing.
Why it matters: The fire disrupted a key inter-island route in the Philippines, where ferries are a vital transport link for travelers, cargo and vehicles. The rescue effort and investigation will also be watched closely by maritime regulators overseeing domestic shipping safety.
- The MV June Aster caught fire near Coron, Palawan, on Sept. 9, 2026.
- The Philippine Coast Guard said 42 people had been rescued and five were dead in its latest update.
- The ferry's manifest listed 134 people onboard - 117 passengers and 17 crew.
- The ship's stated capacity was 333 total - 306 passengers and 27 crew.
A passenger ferry caught fire off Coron in Palawan province in the western Philippines on Wednesday night, setting off a search-and-rescue operation that continued Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. Authorities identified the vessel as the MV June Aster.
In an update, the Philippine Coast Guard said rescuers were dealing with thick smoke and extreme heat as they tried to reach the ship. Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said, "Currently, we have 42 rescued individuals and five casualties."
The Coast Guard said 87 people were missing by Thursday morning. Reporting from Reuters and The Associated Press matched the casualty count and the ongoing rescue effort.
Authorities said the ferry had sailed from Manila and was near Coron when the shipping company reported the fire at about 6:45 p.m. local time on Sept. 9. One survivor told authorities there was a loud explosion from the cargo hold before smoke and flames spread rapidly, Cayabyab said, though the cause has not been confirmed.
The fire remains under investigation. Officials said the vessel was carrying vehicles and cargo, including motorcycles, an electric vehicle, a forklift, a pickup truck and cargo goods. The next step is to board the vessel and assess the damage.
By the numbers
- 42 - People rescued in the Coast Guard's latest update.
- 5 - Confirmed deaths reported by the Philippine Coast Guard.
- 87 - People still missing by Thursday morning.
Yes, but: The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, and officials have not said what sparked the blaze.
What's next: Authorities said they will board the vessel to assess the damage and continue the search for missing passengers and crew.