Deadly ferry fire off Palawan leaves dozens dead and missing

Overview

Updated Yesterday

The MV June Aster was about two hours from Coron when fire swept through the ferry Wednesday night, 2.2 kilometers off the coast of Palawan. Survivors describe flames spreading in seconds as passengers scrambled over one another to escape. It took rescuers more than 40 hours to board through toxic smoke and heat.

When crews finally entered the burned hull Friday, they recovered 30 bodies from the economy cabin. The confirmed death toll stands at 35, with 54 people still unaccounted for. Investigators are examining cargo-loading records and have not ruled out terrorism.

Why it matters

Dozens dead on the Philippines' cheapest inter-island route puts ferry safety and the operator's liability in the spotlight.

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Key Indicators

Confirmed dead

Death toll after 30 bodies recovered from the burned ferry on Friday.

Still missing

Unaccounted for as of the September 12 coast guard briefing.

Survivors

30 passengers and 13 crew rescued; several hospitalized in Coron.

132

People actually aboard

Manifest listed 134, but two passengers reported they never boarded.

Voices

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People Involved

Noemie Cayabyab

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson, Commodore

Leading public communication on rescue and investigation

Arnulfo Nokki Villanueva

Survivor, ferry passenger

Recovering; suffered burns to his back

Lira Daco

Mother of missing passenger Cyriel Daco, 20

Waiting at rescue center in Turda village for word on her daughter

Organizations Involved

Philippine Coast Guard

Government agency

Leading search, recovery, and initial investigation

The Philippine Coast Guard coordinated survivor rescue and is conducting the safety assessment and recovery aboard the MV June Aster.

Atienza Interisland Ferries

Shipping company

Operator of MV June Aster; pledged cooperation with the inquiry

Operates the 53-meter MV June Aster, built in 2002, which the coast guard says held valid safety certificates.

Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)

Government regulatory agency

Investigating the fire's cause

The Philippine agency that regulates and investigates commercial shipping.

Timeline

5 events Latest: Today

Tap a bar to jump to that date

September 2026
PCG confirms 35 dead, 54 missing
Today Official Briefing

Coast guard press briefing confirms 35 dead, 43 survivors, and 54 missing; investigation into cause continues.
Today
Fire out; crews recover 30 bodies
Recovery

Fire declared out at 10:15 a.m.; rescuers board at 11:30 a.m. and recover 30 cadavers from the economy cabin. Death toll reaches 35.
Yesterday • 10:15 AM
Rescuers blocked by heat and smoke
Rescue

Lethal carbon monoxide and temperatures prevent crews from boarding; 5 dead, 84 reported missing.
2 days ago
Fire breaks out off Palawan
Incident

Fire erupts 2.2 kilometers offshore; 132 people are actually aboard. Two listed passengers never boarded.
3 days ago • 6:45 PM
Ferry departs Manila
Departure

MV June Aster departs Port of Manila at 8:13 p.m. bound for Coron with 134 people on the manifest.
4 days ago • 8:13 PM

Scenarios

Recovery complete, final death toll above 35

Likely Resolves by Oct 15, 2026

Discussed by: Philippine Coast Guard; Philstar

The MV June Aster is resting on a rock near Turda, so recovery can proceed without sinking risk. With 54 still missing, search teams will keep combing the charred economy cabin and cargo hold. The final toll will almost certainly exceed 35 as more remains are found. The coast guard says completing recovery is its priority before the investigation advances.

Investigation pins cause on cargo hold, assigns liability

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA); Philstar

Survivors reported two explosions before the blaze spread. The cargo hold carried an electric vehicle, a pickup truck, motorcycles, and general goods. Investigators are checking cargo loading integrity and whether vehicle batteries or another cargo item ignited. The MARINA probe will determine whether operator negligence or regulatory gaps contributed, shaping civil and criminal liability.

Terrorism confirmed or ruled out

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Philippine Coast Guard; Philippine National Police

Coast guard officials have not ruled out terrorism as the cause. The Philippines has a history of maritime attacks, most notably the 2004 SuperFerry 14 bombing that killed 116. Confirmation of an attack would sharply raise security stakes; ruling it out would leave an accident involving the cargo hold as the primary theory.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

December 1987

Dona Paz sinking (1987)

The passenger ferry Dona Paz collided with the oil tanker Vector in the Tablas Strait, killing more than 4,300 people in the deadliest peacetime maritime disaster in history. The ferry was severely overcrowded and many passengers were locked below deck.

Then

The sinking prompted emergency maritime safety legislation and criminal charges, though recovery of victims was impossible in many cases.

Now

Decades later, Philippine ferry safety standards remain uneven, with aging vessels and spotty enforcement still causing deadly accidents.

Why this matters now

Serves as the benchmark for Philippine ferry disasters and illustrates the systemic safety concerns investigators will weigh in the June Aster case.

February 2004

SuperFerry 14 bombing (2004)

Abu Sayyaf militants bombed SuperFerry 14 in Manila Bay, killing 116 people in the deadliest terrorist attack on a ship. A television in the cargo hold concealed the bomb.

Then

The attack prompted tightened maritime security and screening of cargo at Philippine ports.

Now

It remains the reference point for terrorism on Philippine ferries, and is why the coast guard has not ruled out an attack here.

Why this matters now

Direct precedent for the terrorism scenario under investigation; the June Aster carried vehicles and goods in its cargo hold, the same area where the SuperFerry bomb was hidden.

March 2023

M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 fire off Basilan (2023)

A passenger ferry carrying over 200 people caught fire off Basilan in the southern Philippines, killing at least 33. Survivors jumped into the sea as flames consumed the vessel; some were rescued by nearby ships and the coast guard.

Then

Dozens of bodies recovered over several days; three crew members later faced charges over the deaths.

Now

The disaster renewed calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety rules on inter-island ferries, though enforcement remained inconsistent.

Why this matters now

Nearly identical circumstances to the June Aster fire: a passenger ferry burning off a Philippine island with passengers forced overboard, and rescue hampered by fire. It shows a recurring pattern of maritime fire safety failures.