The Philippine Coast Guard has confirmed that 35 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of the MV June Aster ferry, which caught fire earlier this week. The vessel was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members when the blaze erupted on Wednesday as it approached Coron from Manila.
Forty-three people were rescued, with some receiving hospital treatment. Searches are ongoing for more than 50 individuals who are still unaccounted for. The coast guard was unable to board the boat until Friday due to toxic fumes and lingering heat.
Coast guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab stated that most bodies were retrieved from the sleeping area of the boat. Agencies are currently working on the recovery and identification of the remains.
Preliminary interviews with survivors suggest the fire began in the cargo hold, and some passengers were not wearing life vests. The Philippines' maritime authority is investigating the incident, including potential manifest discrepancies, cargo loading integrity, and crew emergency response protocols.