Fire strikes MV June Aster ferry off Palawan coast
Ferry fire in Philippines leaves 5 dead, 87 missing; bad weather slows rescue.
Event / Disaster
MV June Aster Ferry Fire Philippines
Passenger ferry MV June Aster caught fire on September 9, 2026, while sailing from Manila to Coron off Palawan, Philippines. The vessel was carrying 134 people (117 passengers, 17 crew). At least 5 confirmed dead, approximately 87 missing, and 42-43 rescued. The fire broke out around 6:45 p.m. and the vessel remained afloat but listing after being extinguished. Cause under investigation; rescue operations were complicated by bad weather and strong sea currents.
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2026-09-11 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 11 Sept, 01:57 UTC
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What happened
At least 5 dead and 87 missing in Philippines ferry fire
At least five people were confirmed dead in the MV June Aster ferry fire. A total of 134 people were on board the vessel, comprising 117 passengers and 17 crew members. As of Thursday, 42 to 43 people had been rescued, leaving approximately 87 people unaccounted for. Search and rescue operations were ongoing with participation from coast guard ships, military vessels, government boats, private volunteers, and fishermen.
Cause of MV June Aster fire remains under investigation
The cause of the fire on the MV June Aster was unclear. One survivor reported that the fire may have begun in the cargo hold. Coast guard authorities were coordinating with the shipping company and maritime authorities to determine the cause. No information was available regarding any foreigners on board the vessel.
Adverse weather hampered rescue efforts for ferry fire victims
Bad weather and large waves challenged rescue operations for the MV June Aster. Coast guard personnel used drift-modeling tools to identify areas where missing passengers may have been carried by strong sea currents. Coast guard made radio broadcasts to nearby ships and coordinated with coastal villages in case any passengers drifted to shore.
Fire engulfs MV June Aster passenger ferry off Palawan, Philippines
The MV June Aster, a passenger ferry sailing from Manila to Coron, caught fire Wednesday evening around 6:45 p.m. local time off Palawan province in the western Philippines. The ferry was approximately 4 nautical miles off Coron's village of Turda when the fire started. Strong sea currents subsequently dragged the burning vessel to approximately 7.68 nautical miles from Turda. The ferry remained afloat but was listing after the fire was extinguished by Thursday morning.
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