Five people have died and 86 remain missing following the fire aboard the MV June Aster off Coron, Palawan, according to an Emergency Operation Center bulletin from the Local Government Unit of Coron.
The latest figures, as of noon on Sept. 10, 2026, show that 43 people have been rescued from the vessel. The bulletin placed the total number of passengers aboard the ship at 134.
Search, rescue and response operations remain ongoing for those still missing and others affected by the incident.
The fire broke out at about 6:38 p.m. on Sept. 9 as the vessel was nearing Coron. The MV June Aster was about 2.2 kilometers offshore, northeast of Barangay Marcilla, when the incident occurred.
As of 3 p.m. on Sept. 10, rescue teams had not yet been able to enter the burned vessel because it continued to emit thick smoke.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said the fire had not yet been declared out at that time, preventing responders from conducting a deeper search inside the vessel.
The PCG said it hoped many passengers had managed to escape the vessel and could have reached coastal barangays. Search and rescue operations were targeted to continue on Friday, Sept. 11, while authorities monitored the vessel’s condition.
The 2nd Special Operations Unit-Coron Special Boat Crew also joined the joint search, rescue and retrieval operations.
The PNP-Maritime Group coordinated with the PCG, Philippine Army Special Forces, Philippine Marines, shipping companies and the LGU of Coron.
Rescued passengers were brought to Coron District Hospital and Culion Sanitarium General Hospital for medical treatment and psychological assessment.
Authorities continue to coordinate efforts to locate those who remain missing.
