Philippines Ferry Fire: A major tragedy has occurred in the Philippines following a fire on a boat. So far, five people have died, and over 80 are reported missing. According to a Reuters report, the Philippine Coast Guard stated on Thursday that five people died and others are missing after a fire broke out on a ferry near Palawan Island in the western Philippines on Wednesday night. The PCG reported that 43 people were rescued from the water near Coron, Palawan, after the MV June Ester caught fire. It was not immediately clear exactly how many people were on board or how many remain missing.
Where did the fire break out?
According to AFP, the Coast Guard stated that the fire on the MV June Ester started on Wednesday evening, approximately 2.2 kilometers (1.3 miles) off the coast. They also reported that the bodies of five individuals have been brought ashore. In a video shared by the Coast Guard on Facebook, the vessel appeared completely engulfed in flames.
Coast Guard Captain Noemi Kayabyab told a local radio station on Thursday, “Based on the information we currently have regarding the rescued individuals (42) and the deceased, 87 people are still missing.” She noted that the ship’s records listed 134 passengers and crew members.
She added, “I want to clarify that this is live data, and the figures may change as our search and rescue operation progresses.”
Kayabyab stated that the rescued individuals included 38 passengers and four crew members. She said, “We have not yet been able to gather information from the survivors because we haven’t been able to speak with them.” She also mentioned that efforts to extinguish the fire are ongoing.
