Rescue teams faced challenges on Thursday in accessing a passenger ferry that had ignited and burned through the night off the western coast of the Philippines, resulting in five fatalities and 86 individuals unaccounted for, as per officials. As dusk fell, the search and rescue efforts were temporarily paused, with plans to recommence the following morning.
To date, 43 individuals have been saved from the distressed ferry, MV June Aster, which remained afloat but tilted near Coron after the fire erupted on Wednesday evening. Smoke continued to billow from the vessel into the afternoon hours.
The coast guard’s spokesperson, Commodore Noemie Cayabyab, mentioned that there were unverified claims of two foreigners onboard, with authorities cross-referencing the passenger list to ascertain the identities of the deceased, survivors, and missing persons in collaboration with local authorities and the shipping company.
A manifest indicated that there were 134 passengers onboard, comprising 117 individuals and 17 crew members. The ferry had a maximum capacity of 306 passengers and 27 crew members.
The 53-meter-long ferry had embarked from Manila’s capital and was nearing its destination in Coron, Palawan province, when the shipping company reported the fire around 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, as stated by the coast guard.
Rescue teams encountered challenges entering the vessel due to dense smoke. Cayabyab emphasized the importance of assessing the situation by gaining entry into the ship promptly.
Later that Thursday evening, the search and rescue operations were suspended and scheduled to resume the next day, Cayabyab confirmed.
The cause of the fire remained uncertain, with one survivor suggesting it may have originated in the cargo hold. The coast guard, in tandem with the shipping company and maritime authorities, aimed to gather additional details.
Describing the survivor’s account, Cayabyab noted a sudden explosion followed by smoke and flames, leading to a rapid spread of the fire.
Rescue operations contended with inclement weather conditions as a coast guard ship, high-speed response boats, a military vessel, government boats, volunteers, and fishermen joined forces in the search and rescue mission. Nearby ships were alerted via radio broadcast to assist in locating ferry passengers, while coastal communities were also informed.
Visuals from the rescue operation on Wednesday night depicted coast guard personnel distributing life jackets to survivors amidst the burning ferry. Passengers were transferred to smaller boats for evacuation, with body bags arranged in what appeared to be a port area.
Rough weather conditions and large waves complicated the rescue efforts, with the ferry drifting further from Turda village post-distress signal due to strong sea currents.
Coron, esteemed for its azure waters, limestone formations, and scenic cliffs, stands as a sought-after tourist destination in the region.
Ferries serve as a common mode of transportation in the Philippine archipelago. The region has witnessed sea mishaps attributed to severe weather, poorly maintained vessels, overcapacity, and lax enforcement of safety regulations, particularly in remote locales.
In a tragic incident in 1987, the Dona Paz ferry sank after colliding with a fuel tanker in central Philippines, resulting in over 4,300 casualties in one of the world’s deadliest peacetime maritime accidents.