What happened to the MV June Aster in the Philippines?

A fire broke out on the passenger ferry in waters off western Philippines while it was near Coron in Palawan province. At least five people were killed, 42 were rescued, and 87 were still missing as rescue work continued.

How many people were aboard the Philippine ferry MV June Aster?

The ferry carried 134 people in total, including 117 passengers and 17 crew members. That figure was given by the coast guard after the fire started Wednesday.

Why are ferry accidents a serious concern in the Philippines?

The article says ferries are a common form of transport in the Philippine archipelago, but sea accidents are not uncommon. It cites storms, badly maintained vessels, overcrowding and spotty safety enforcement, especially in remote provinces.

Fire on Philippine ferry leaves 87 missing, 5 dead

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Summary

A passenger ferry caught fire in waters off western Philippines, leaving at least five people dead and 87 missing, the coast guard said Thursday. The MV June Aster had departed Manila and was near Coron in Palawan province when the fire started Wednesday. Forty-two people have been rescued, and the missing count may change as search efforts continue.

Key Facts

The ferry MV June Aster had 134 people on board, including 117 passengers and 17 crew members.
Coast guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said the count of 87 missing may change because rescue efforts were still ongoing.
Images from the scene showed coast guard personnel tossing life jackets to survivors while small boats took survivors into shallow water.
The article says ferries are a common transportation method in the Philippine archipelago, where sea accidents are not uncommon because of storms, poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding and weak safety enforcement, especially in remote provinces.

By AP

Published Sep 10, 2026 10:42 am KST
Updated Sep 10, 2026 11:34 am KST

This handout photo from the Philippine Coast Guard taken Sept. 9 shows volunteer fisherfolk assisting the survivors from the ferry that caught fire off Palawan. AFP-Yonhap

MANILA, Philippines — A fire broke out on a passenger ferry in waters off the western Philippines, leaving dozens of people missing, the coast guard said Thursday. At least five people were killed.

So far, 42 people have been rescued and efforts are ongoing, so the count of 87 people missing may change, coast guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said in a radio interview.

The ferry MV June Aster had sailed from Manila and was near Coron in Palawan province when the fire started Wednesday.

Cayabyab said 134 people were on board, 117 passengers and 17 crew.

Images from the scene showed coast guard personnel tossing life jackets to survivors as the ferry burned in the background. Small boats also took survivors into shallow water.

Ferries are a common transportation method in the Philippine archipelago. Sea accidents are not uncommon due to storms, badly maintained vessels, overcrowding and spotty enforcement of safety regulations, especially in remote provinces.

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