Five people have been confirmed dead and 42 rescued after the passenger vessel M/V June Aster caught fire in waters off Barangay Marcilla, Coron, Palawan, on Wednesday, September 9.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) immediately responded to the incident and coordinated with the Bureau of Fire Protection, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the local government of Coron for rescue operations.
Personnel from the Maritime Environmental Protection Unit and Coast Guard Special Operations Group were also deployed to assist passengers and conduct rescue efforts.
The BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) also traveled from the Port of San Fernando in El Nido to the incident area to provide additional personnel and assistance in firefighting and rescue operations.
The vessel was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members when the fire broke out.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, 42 individuals had been rescued as of 11:10 p.m. Wednesday. The five fatalities were brought to the Barangay Turda Covered Court and were set to be turned over to the Coron Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for proper disposition.
The Coast Guard District Palawan and other responding units continued a systematic search of the surrounding waters for possible additional survivors.
As of 3:30 a.m. Thursday, authorities had not yet released an official list identifying the survivors and fatalities.
Families and relatives continue to await verified information about their loved ones as search and rescue operations remain ongoing.
